Georgia Democrats worried Stacey Abrams can’t beat Brian Kemp: Report

Misty Severi

September 07, 10:44 PM September 07, 10:44 PM

Georgia Democrats have grown more pessimistic over the electoral prospects of gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, who's running to unseat incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp (R), according to a media report.

Kemp has a sizable lead in what was once viewed as a winnable race for Democrats, according to the latest public and private polls. She is also trailing Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) in popularity, but the point spread between Warnock and Abrams is within the margin of error, according to the New York Times.

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“There are Republican voters who are OK with Sen. Warnock,” Democratic pollster Fred Hicks told the New York Times. “But there is a very strong anti-Stacey Abrams feeling.”

Progressive Democratic donor Steve Phillips claimed Abrams was behind because of sexism, according to the outlet. If elected, Abrams would be the first black woman to serve as Georgia's governor and the third black person to serve in the role.

“The picture of leadership we have, Stacey is, like, the opposite,” Phillips said. "[Her identity as a black woman] is part of the depth of the enthusiasm for her, but it also explains the depth of the resistance.”

Abrams additionally faces a tough competitor in Kemp. The governor has seen wide support from Georgians, in part for his popular policies, such as giving bonuses and pay raises to public school teachers and state employees and suspending the state’s gasoline tax three times. Kemp beat primary challenger David Perdue for the Republican nomination in May.

G3 Box News

"Stacey Abrams’s campaign isn’t connecting with Georgia voters, and people across the country and here in Georgia know it," a spokesman for Kemp told G3 Box News. "After raising millions hand over fist from out-of-state billionaires, her campaign, and Georgia Democrats, are now mired in internal squabbling. Gov. Kemp will continue to run on his record of putting Georgians first and his vision for a safer, stronger Georgia."

Kemp narrowly beat Abrams in 2018, who was 18,000 votes away from triggering a runoff election. Abrams, who entered the race last December, secured the Democratic nomination in May after running unopposed.