As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the spotlight is once again on Stacey Abrams and her role in Georgia politics. Not too long ago, Abrams was a key player in the political landscape, with aspirations of becoming the vice president. In 2020, she was on Joe Biden’s shortlist for vice president, but the opportunity ultimately went to Kamala Harris. Now, Abrams finds herself once again intertwined with Harris as the vice president seeks to replicate Biden’s unexpected victory in Georgia.
Abrams’ influence in Georgia politics cannot be overstated. Her vision and fundraising prowess were instrumental in delivering key victories for Democrats in the state, including the election of Senators Warnock and Ossoff. However, recent setbacks have raised doubts about Abrams’ ability to mobilize voters and help Harris secure a victory in Georgia.
Despite their parallel paths, Abrams and Harris have had limited interaction over the years. While Abrams has stepped up her appearances on the campaign trail in recent weeks, questions remain about whether she can still wield the same political influence as she did in past elections. The nonprofits she founded, which played a crucial role in voter registration and community organizing, are facing financial challenges and leadership changes.
Abrams’ own political campaigns have raised and spent significant amounts of money over the years, but her fundraising efforts for the 2024 election have been less successful. Democratic officials in Georgia argue that Abrams has been active in fundraising for other groups and for Harris directly. In the final weeks of the campaign, Abrams has increased her involvement, attending rallies and canvassing events to support Harris.
While some Democrats express optimism about the lasting impact of the structures Abrams built in Georgia, others are less confident about Harris’ chances in the state. Polls show a tight race, with Donald Trump holding a slight advantage. Georgia, once considered a purple state, has seen Republicans win more statewide races since Biden’s victory in 2020.
Black voters, a key demographic for Abrams, present a challenge for Harris in Georgia. Despite her efforts to connect with young voters and build a strong infrastructure, some political observers believe that Georgia may be slipping away from Harris. As the election draws near, all eyes are on Abrams and her ability to rally support for the Democratic ticket in Georgia. The state electorate in Georgia is about 25 percent Black, making it one of the highest percentages in the country. However, recent public surveys have shown that Vice President Kamala Harris’s polling margins within that group are not as strong as those of President Joe Biden in 2020 or even Hillary Clinton in 2016. In response to this, former First Lady Michelle Obama recently visited the state, implicitly acknowledging the need to rally Black voters for Harris.
One key figure who could make a significant difference in the final days leading up to the election is Stacey Abrams. Georgia Democrats believe that a surge in activity by Abrams could be a game-changer. However, the campaign has not disclosed details about where Abrams will be deployed.
Abrams is important to Harris for several reasons, including the fact that they represent different aspects of the Black woman’s experience in America. Harris, the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica, grew up in liberal Northern California, while Abrams, the daughter of United Methodist ministers, was raised in conservative Gulfport, Mississippi. Abrams worked her way through the Georgia political landscape to become a prominent Democratic leader in the state legislature, while Harris rose through the legal ranks in San Francisco.
Since the 2020 election, Harris and Abrams have often been associated as trailblazing Black women in the Democratic Party. They were credited with increasing enrollment at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), were both considered for a Supreme Court vacancy, and were even mentioned as possible replacements for President Biden before the 2024 election cycle.
Despite their shared status, Harris and Abrams have rarely crossed paths in person during Harris’s tenure as vice president. The last time they campaigned together was in November 2020 when Harris was stumping in Georgia as Biden’s running mate. At the time, Abrams was preparing for her 2022 gubernatorial comeback run, but some local Democrats were disappointed by Biden’s selection of Harris over their home-state favorite.
During the vice presidential selection process, Abrams made it known that she would be an excellent running mate, emphasizing her ability to attract voters from typically ignored communities. She also stressed the importance of selecting a woman of color as Biden’s running mate, calling anything less a “slap in the face” to a key Democratic Party base.
Abrams has been vocal about the role of race and gender in politics, defending Harris from criticism that she deemed racist and sexist. She commended Harris for her poise in responding to such attacks, highlighting the challenges faced by Black women in leadership positions.
After Abrams’s loss in the 2022 gubernatorial race, her campaign manager attributed the defeat in part to Abrams’s efforts to support other Democrats, including Biden and Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. The loss diminished Abrams’s political standing and coincided with financial challenges for the nonprofits she founded.
Fair Fight Action, the largest of Abrams’s nonprofits, faced financial difficulties and layoffs after losing a voting-rights lawsuit in federal court. Despite these challenges, Abrams and Harris continue to be seen as influential figures in the Democratic Party, each bringing a unique perspective to the political landscape. Stacey Abrams, a prominent figure in Georgia politics, has been at the forefront of efforts to protect voting rights and increase civic engagement in the state. Her organization, Fair Fight Action, has recently aired a TV ad to bring attention to potential changes to state election laws proposed by a Republican-controlled State Elections Board. Despite multiple requests for comment, Fair Fight Action did not respond.
Another organization founded by Abrams, the New Georgia Project, has also faced challenges. The group, which focuses on voting rights, has seen significant turnover and controversy surrounding financial disclosures. Despite these setbacks, the New Georgia Project continues to advocate for voting rights and has expanded its mission to include issues such as affordable housing and environmental justice.
While Abrams’ organizations have been successful in raising funds and mobilizing support, there is a growing recognition of the need to support smaller grassroots organizations in Georgia. Christine White, head of the Georgia Alliance for Progress, emphasizes the importance of funding a diverse ecosystem of organizing efforts, including campaigns, parties, PACs, and nonprofit groups.
As the 2022 election approaches, the Harris campaign is ramping up its efforts in Georgia. Democrats are confident that smaller nonprofit organizations are stepping in to fill the void left by Abrams’ network. However, the outcome of the election remains uncertain, with Georgia’s status as a swing state hanging in the balance.
Abrams remains optimistic about the future of Georgia politics, believing that Vice President Harris has a chance to win the state. She sees her past campaigns as laying the groundwork for this possibility, emphasizing the importance of building imagination and conscience among voters. As Georgia prepares for another election cycle, Abrams is hopeful that change is on the horizon.
