Democratic contender stops short of conceding
It’s been ten days since the general election and the race for Georgia governor is finally over. Democrat Stacey Abrams says she knows Republican Brian Kemp will be declared governor. Even so, Abrams, who filed several legal challenges to insure all votes were counted in the Nov. 6 general election, refused to officially concede the election.
“I acknowledge that former Secretary of State Brian Kemp will be certified as the victor in the 2018 gubernatorial election,” Abrams said in a news conference Friday evening. “This is not a speech of concession. Because concession means to acknowledge an action that’s right, true or proper. As a woman of conscience and faith, I cannot concede that.”
She said the law currently allows “no further viable remedy.”
“I could 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,” she said, “because the title of governor isn’t nearly as important as our shared title – voters. And that is why we fight on.”
Abrams had hoped to force a runoff in the governor’s race but fell short.
Of the nearly 4 million votes cast in the governor’s race, Abrams received 1,923,582 votes (48.83%) to Kemp’s 1,978,383 votes (50.22%) and Libertarian Ted Metz’s 37,234 (.95%).
Throughout the campaign, Abrams and her supporters accused Kemp of trying to steal the election through voter suppression: Kemp was not only a candidate but also oversaw the election as then Secretary of State.
Abrams says she plans to file a lawsuit to challenge the “gross mismanagement” of Georgia elections. She pointed to the botched May 22 GOP Primary in Habersham’s House Distrct 28 as an example of poor election management.
During her speech the former Georgia House Democratic Leader thanked her supporters as she pointed to political gains Democrats made in the state. “We won State House races and senate races and a new seat in Congress and we put America on notice that change isn’t coming to Georgia, it has arrived.”
Minutes after Abrams spoke Friday, Kemp released the following statement.
“Moments ago, Stacey Abrams conceded the race and officially ended her campaign for governor. I appreciate her passion, hard work, and commitment to public service.
The election is over and hardworking Georgians are ready to move forward. We can no longer dwell on the divisive politics of the past but must focus on Georgia’s bright and promising future.
Under the leadership of Governors Perdue and Deal, our state has experienced unmatched growth and prosperity. We will work diligently in the transition process to build on their accomplishments and keep Georgia moving in the right direction.
I humbly ask for citizens of our great state to stand with me in the days ahead. Together, we will realize the opportunities and tackle the challenges to come. We will be a state that puts hardworking Georgians – no matter their zip code or political preference – first!”
Statewide runoffs
While there will not be a runoff for governor, Georgia voters will head back to the polls on Dec. 4 to cast ballots in two other statewide runoffs.
Democrat John Barrow hopes to gain a foothold for Democrats at the state level in his bid to become Georgia’s next Secretary of State. Barrow will face off against Republican Brad Raffensperger in the runoff.
And Republican Chuck Eaton will try to hold on to his District 3 Public Service Commission seat. He’s in a runoff with Democrat Lindy Miller.
For complete state and local election results from Nov. 6, 2018 click HERE.
