Stacey Abrams Teams Up With Kamala
Former Georgia political candidate Stacey Abrams, a prominent figure in the Democratic Party, is making a return to Georgia this Tuesday evening to campaign alongside Vice President Kamala Harris. Abrams, who has faced setbacks in her bids for governor against Republican Governor Brian Kemp in 2018 and 2022, will join Harris at an event featuring Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, and rapper Megan Thee Stallion. This marks Harris’s 15th trip to Georgia since taking office.
Despite her past high profile, including her high-profile lawsuits following the 2018 gubernatorial race and speculation about being a vice presidential candidate, Abrams has been less vocal recently. After her substantial defeat in the 2022 rematch with Kemp, she has shifted her focus. Currently serving as the endowed chairwoman for race and Black politics at Howard University, Abrams is also involved in advocacy efforts targeting environmental issues, such as the push against gas stoves. Consequently, she is spending less time in Georgia, though her reputation as a skilled political organizer remains strong.
Political science professor Charles Bullock from the University of Georgia suggests that Abrams’ efforts could significantly impact Harris’s campaign. Bullock notes that if Abrams can replicate her previous success in mobilizing voters, it could prove crucial for Harris in Georgia, a state where Trump currently leads Harris by a narrow margin of 4.5 points in recent RealClearPolitics polling averages.
Despite a decline in her political prominence since 2020, Abrams’ appearance at this rally is seen by some as a chance for her to regain influence. Former Georgia Republican Representative Bob Barr views the event as a potential opportunity for Abrams to revive her political standing. Barr acknowledges that while Georgia Democrats have effectively mobilized their base in recent elections, Republicans need to enhance their voter outreach efforts.
Biden’s narrow victory in Georgia in 2020, with just a 0.23% margin, underscores the importance of voter turnout. While Harris is expected to appeal to nonwhite voters, Bullock argues that the key demographic in Georgia’s upcoming elections could be white, college-educated voters. Achieving 40% of this group’s vote could be critical for Democrats, highlighting the strategic importance of Abrams’ involvement.
In response, Trump and his running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, are scheduled to hold their own rally in Atlanta on Saturday, underscoring the intensifying competition in this pivotal state.
