Stacey Abramshas conceded in her second bid for Georgia governor, accepting defeat in her rematch with Republican Gov.Brian Kemp. The concession came before the Associated Press called the race.
“Even though my fight — our fight — for the governor’s mansion may have come up short, I’m pretty tall,” Abrams told a fired up crowd late Tuesday night. “I am here because this is a moment where, despite every obstacle, we are still standing strong and standing tall and standing resolute and standing in our values, and we know Georgia deserves more.”
She continued: “Whether we do it from the governor’s mansion or from the streets, whether we do it from the Capitol or from our communities, we are going to fight for more for the state of Georgia. That is what we’re here for.”
Brian Kemp, Stacey Abrams.Joe Raedle/Getty; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
In the wake of her loss, Abrams became one of the country’s leading voices on the importance of — and challenges to — voting rights.
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Those voter registration efforts set the backdrop for November 2020’s presidential surprise, when some 5 million ballots were cast in Georgia, smashing the previous record.Joe Bidenultimately defeatedDonald Trumpin the state — the first Democrat to win statewide there in decades.
Stacey Abrams.Paras Griffin/Getty
In an accompanying ad, then-47-year-old Abrams said, “If our Georgia is going to move to its next and greatest chapter, we’re going to need leadership. Leadership that knows how to do the job. Leadership that doesn’t take credit without also taking responsibility. Leadership that understand the true pain folks are feeling, and has real plans. That’s the job of governor — to fight for one Georgia. Our Georgia. And now, it’s time to get the job done.”
Abrams also has a second career as awriter of a string of hit romance thrillers. She released her latest novel — a political thriller — last May.
Gov. Kemp will begin his second four-year term in January. According to state law, he will not be eligible to run for a third term in 2026.
Abrams has not announced whether she plans to seek the state’s highest office a third time in the next gubernatorial election.
source: people.com
