Stacey Abrams widely applauded for helping drive Biden’s gains in Georgia
Stacey Abrams created the non profit Fair Fight and registered an estimated 800,000 new voters in Georgia
She may not have been chosen to be Joe Biden‘s running mate, but after days of waiting for finalized election results, many are applauding the brilliance of Stacey Abrams for potentially getting the former vice president the crucial votes he needs to dethrone President Donald Trump.
As the Boston Globe so boldly stated Friday, “If Democrat Joe Biden goes on to win Georgia, political observers say he’ll have one person to thank more than anyone else: former state gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.”
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The 46-year-old catapulted into the national consciousness back in 2018 after she narrowly lost the Georgia governor’s race to Republican Brian Kemp, narrowly missing the opportunity to make history as the nation’s first Black female governor.
From the onset her race was marked by accusations that Kemp engaged in voter suppression and rather than slinking off into the sunset to lick her wounds, the lawyer, author, and political organizer used her defeat as the impetus to create a non profit called Fair Fight to combat unscrupulous voter suppression tactics.
And that’s what brings us to this week, at a time where people are chanting, “Count every vote!” Abrams and her team at Fair Fight have managed to register an estimated 800,000 new voters in Georgia at the very moment where Biden’s campaign – and the Democratic party – need her most.
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As a result of her tireless efforts, as of Friday morning, Biden is holding a slim lead in Georgia, which is incredibly notable given it is a state that hasn’t swung Democratic in a presidential election since 1992.
“Whatever happens in Georgia, everyone should get on their knees and thank strong Black women like the fearless @staceyabrams and so many who slog away without appreciation—and then we should pass real policies that benefit them,” U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal tweeted on Wednesday echoing the sentiments of many.
“So many deserve credit for 10yrs to new Georgia,” Abrams tweeted Friday, while graciously listing a number of non-profits and supporters before also thanking the work of the late John Lewis.
“Charge any omissions to my head. My heart is full,” she continued, adding, “Georgia, let’s shout out those who’ve been in the trenches and deserve the plaudits for change.”
“Change is the result of work,” responded Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. “Dedication, vision and work. Lifting all of you up today @staceyabrams.”
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