Stacey Abrams has ended her bid to become governor of the state of Georgia, but she’s not slowing down. During a speech from her Georgia headquarters Friday (Nov. 16), Abrams thanked supporters and announced plans to file a federal lawsuit against Georgia for “gross mismanagement” of state elections.
Abrams made it clear that she wasn’t conceding the race to opponent Brian Kemp. “Concession means to acknowledge an action is right, true or proper,” she explained. “As a woman of conscience and faith, I cannot concede that. But, my assessment is the law currently allows no further viable remedy.
“Now, I can certainly bring a new case to keep this one contest alive, but I don’t want to hold public office if I need to scheme my way into the post,” Abrams continued. “Because the title of governor isn’t nearly as important as our shared title — voters. And that is why we fight on and why I want to say thank you to those of you who organized your community and shattered records.”
In a series of tweets Friday, Abrams reiterated her plan to take legal action.“Today, I announce the launch of Fair Fight Georgia, an operation that will pursue accountability in Georgia’s elections and integrity in the process of maintaining our voting rolls,” Abrams revealed. “In the coming days, we will be filing a major federal lawsuit against the state of Georgia for the gross mismanagement of this election and to protect future elections from unconstitutional actions.”
The statement aligns with the Democrat’s campaign against her Republican opponent, whom she called out for voter suppression tactics against disenfranchised communities.
Kemp was Georgia’s sectary of state at the time of the campaign, and was in charge of overseeing the same election that he ran in against Abrams. The 55-year-old politician resigned from the position one day after declaring himself the “clear and convincing” winner in the November 6 midterms.
The governor’s race triggered a recount of previously rejected absentee ballots, which a Georgia state judge ruled had to be counted before the winner could be determined. Since Abrams ended her campaign, Kemp is the automatic victor.
Read Abrams’ tweets below.
Because of your support, a little Black girl from the Deep South was within striking distance of a sitting Republican Secretary of State to be Georgia’s 83rd Governor.
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) November 17, 2018
The movement we built together is only the beginning. We must keep fighting for the people who have always felt left behind, and for the communities whose security and status are now in question.
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) November 17, 2018
In the coming days, we will be filing a major federal lawsuit against the state of Georgia for the gross mismanagement of this election and to protect future elections from unconstitutional actions. #gapol
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) November 17, 2018
Because these votes are our voices. We are each entitled to our choices. As Georgians, we have always been at the forefront of speaking truth to whatever power may lay claim to leadership – if only for the moment. We will win because we are Georgia. And we WILL get it done.
– SYA— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) November 17, 2018