Politics
NEW: Twice-Failed Candidate Stacey Abrams Floats Third Bid For Governor
Stacey Abrams, the incorrigible Georgia gubernatorial candidate who twice lost to Republican Governor Brian Kemp and later claimed that the election was stolen, is thought to be privately mulling a third bid for the state’s corner office, according to Democratic sources.
The thought of Abrams, 51, running once again — eight years after her first campaign — is disconcerting for party leaders who say she has had more than her fair share of chances with the voters. In 2022, her second campaign suffered a six-point drop (Abrams -3, Kemp +3) compared to four years earlier, and party leaders only believe things would get worse if she secures the nomination.
“She’s run twice, and that’s enough to convince me she won’t win,” said Jimmy Johnson, former chair of the Appling County Democratic Committee. “Can some other Democrat win? Yes, if there is a candidate who can hold 90% of the Black vote and attract rural voters and somehow overcome the GOP’s very effective whisper campaign.”
And Marilyn Langford, a vice-chair of the 9th Congressional District, put it bluntly to the Constitution-Journal: “Abrams is great, but she missed the train.”
Unlike prior gubernatorial elections, Democrats aren’t clearing the field to make room for Abrams. State Sen. Jason Esteves entered the race earlier this week, and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is expected to follow, the outlet writes. More may join soon.
Gov. Kemp is term-limited, meaning Democrats will have their first chance in nearly a decade to compete for an open seat.
Other Democratic leaders were more sanguine about a third run by Abrams, pointing to her sky-high name recognition and national fundraising prowess. She remains credited with helping run the voter registration and mobilization drives that led Democrats to fill both of the state’s U.S. Senate seats in 2020.
“The question is how durable is her popularity among that rank-and-file at this point?” said Carter, the party’s 2014 nominee who this week decided not to join the race. “Can she match this moment better than she matched the moment the other two times?”
An informal survey of 30 Democratic activists indicates that many believe Abrams should be given the chance to make her own decision.
“As an influential party leader and two-time gubernatorial candidate, Stacey would be a strong and qualified candidate in any race she chooses to run,” DeKalb County Democratic Committee chair Brandi Wyche said, “or be an influential supporter of another Democratic candidate, if she so chooses.”
To be sure, Abrams would bring plenty of baggage to a third run.
In January, state watchdogs levied a record $300,000 fine against her and leaders of the New Georgia Project for illegal schemes to boost voter registration ahead of her 2022 election. One month later, the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency uncovered that the Biden-Harris administration apparently granted a cool $2 billion grant to another nonprofit managed by Abrams, which reported just $100 in revenue the prior year.
Whatever she decides, Abrams should do it quickly, former allies say.
“If she chooses not to run,” said Aaron Whitely, chair of the Chatham County Democratic Committee, “I hope she shares that sooner than later so we as a party can begin to vet and prepare for a primary.”
