While Stacey Abrams acknowledged Friday that Republican Brian Kemp will become the next governor of Georgia, she had a lot to say in her speech on how she wants to prevent voter suppression.
Via Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Following a week after the initial election announcements, with legal maneuvering from her campaign and allies, Abrams gave her speech acknowledging the loss, not conceding because of the things that took place during the process.
“So let’s be clear — this is not a speech of concession,” Abrams spoke. “Because concession means to acknowledge an action is right, true or proper,” she said. “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. Because the title of governor isn’t nearly as important as our shared title — voters. And that is why we fight on.”
During the speech, and on Twitter, Abrams also stated that she plans to sue the state of Georgia. On Twitter, Abrams said: “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. We will channel the work of the past several weeks into a strong legal demand for reform of our election system in Georgia. And I will not waver in my commitment to work across party lines and across divisions to find a common purpose in protecting our democracy. 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.”
Watch the speech below.
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. #gapol
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) November 17, 2018
We will channel the work of the past several weeks into a strong legal demand for reform of our election system in Georgia. And I will not waver in my commitment to work across party lines and across divisions to find a common purpose in protecting our democracy.
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) November 17, 2018