Latest news with #NewGeorgiaProject
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrats give cold shoulder to possibility of third Abrams bid in Georgia
Democrats are throwing cold water on the possibility of Stacey Abrams mounting a third bid for Georgia governor, underscoring how the once-rising star's image has been tarnished by consecutive losses and recent controversies. Abrams hasn't publicly commented on another potential run but also hasn't ruled it out as she stays politically active. If she were to try again, Abrams would bring strong name identification and established fundraising prowess to the race because she's been a face of the state Democratic Party for years. But at least some Democrats think their best chance to win a difficult battle for the governor's mansion next year would be turning to someone new. 'There's not a lot of energy … or a large appetite within the state of Georgia amongst Democrats for a third Abrams run,' said Georgia Democratic strategist Fred Hicks. 'There's a deep appreciation for her putting Georgia in play through her work with the New Georgia Project, Fair Fight and her 2018 run,' Hicks continued. 'But I think after that '22 election and all the things that have happened in the state since then, Democrats are really focused on trying to put forth a candidate they feel like can win next year.' Abrams first became a national figure around the 2018 gubernatorial election. Having previously served as Georgia state House minority leader, she came within 1.5 points of winning the governor's race in a state that hadn't elected a Democratic governor in 20 years. She launched an organization called Fair Fight, dedicated to protecting voter rights, shortly after that election and delivered the Democratic response to President Trump's State of the Union Address in 2019. Her years-long efforts to flip Georgia paid big dividends in 2020, when the state voted for former President Biden and elected two Democratic senators. One of them, Sen. Raphael Warnock was reelected two years later when he ran for a full six-year term. But Abrams has struggled as a candidate herself. She sought a rematch against Gov. Brian Kemp (R) in 2022 but lost by more than 7 points. Democrats say they credit Abrams for contributing to shifting Georgia from a solidly red state to a battleground, but that it's best for them to look elsewhere. They said they recognize her strengths in name identification, fundraising and enthusing voters, but her past losses may be a sign. 'Third time is the who-knows-what,' said national Democratic strategist Jon Reinish. 'There's one major figure in American history for whom the third time was the charm — that was Reagan running for president.' 'These days, when voters are so eager for fresh, baggage-free figures, I don't know if that path to victory can still play out,' Reinish said. Abrams also faced controversy for years over allegations that two nonprofits she founded, the New Georgia Project and the New Georgia Project Action Fund, violated state law in campaigning for her but not registering as a political committee. The groups were fined $300,000 in January. A spokesperson for Abrams said at the time she hasn't been involved with the groups since she left in 2017. Hicks said questions have lingered about Abrams's campaign finances since 2018, but he doesn't believe that was the main obstacle facing her in 2022. He said a 'common refrain' he heard during that election was that the Abrams campaign was too focused on national media and grasstops advocacy rather than grassroots campaigning. He noted that Warnock outperformed her that year, making it to a runoff before eventually winning his Senate race, while Abrams wasn't close to winning governor. 'Everyone expects that she would be quite profitable in terms of raising money, and the primary would draw a lot of attention to the race, but there are great concerns about whether or not she could win in November,' Hicks said. The Hill has reached out to a spokesperson for Abrams for comment. She isn't the only rumored possible Democratic candidate considering a run. State Sen. Jason Esteves has already launched a campaign, while former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms filed paperwork to run last month. Former DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond and state Rep. Derrick Jackson have also indicated interest. Democrats expressed optimism at their chances of winning the governor's race, particularly with Kemp, who has been a popular governor and effective candidate, term-limited. 'I just think we need people who are young and aggressive, who are going to go after the Republicans,' said one Georgia Democrat. Strategist Antjuan Seawright said the most important characteristic for candidates thinking of running is to not be 'selfish' and focus on who has the best chance to win and can speak to what Georgians want in their leader. 'I don't think there's early favorites when it comes to political primaries, because it's all about peaking at the right time,' Seawright said. 'I think the most important thing is who's going to be able to define the opposition but also define the things that we are for as Democrats out in Georgia.' Meanwhile, Republicans have expressed eagerness at the prospect of twice-defeated Abrams running again, expecting it would give the eventual GOP nominee an easier path to victory. GOP strategist Jay Williams said the negatives are rising and that if she had a chance to win, it was in 2018. 'Republicans weren't as well-prepared for that,' he said. 'There was a little bit of disbelief at the time that a Democrat could win. When all that went down, Republicans started to get their act together.' Hicks also credited Abrams with the other victories that Democrats have had since 2020, including Warnock's two wins and the one from Sen. Jon Ossoff. 'Georgia wouldn't be where it is without her. Sen. Warnock wouldn't be there. Sen. Ossoff wouldn't be in there,' he said. He said Abrams should try to find objective third-party polling showing she is the strongest candidate and can win a general election before making a decision. If she has that, circumstances and voter sentiment can change. But Hicks added that some figures are naturally better suited to organizing and calling attention to an issue or election than succeeding as a candidate themselves. 'Some people are better at organizing and bringing attention than they are winning the races themselves,' he said. 'And there's no shame that Democrats want to win next year, and whoever can give Democrats the best chance, that's who they want to get behind.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Democrats give cold shoulder to possibility of third Abrams bid in Georgia
Democrats are throwing cold water on the possibility of Stacey Abrams mounting a third bid for Georgia governor, underscoring how the once-rising star's image has been tarnished by consecutive losses and recent controversies. Abrams hasn't publicly commented on another potential run but also hasn't ruled it out as she stays politically active. If she were to try again, Abrams would bring strong name identification and established fundraising prowess to the race because she's been a face of the state Democratic Party for years. But at least some Democrats think their best chance to win a difficult battle for the governor's mansion next year would be turning to someone new. 'There's not a lot of energy … or a large appetite within the state of Georgia amongst Democrats for a third Abrams run,' said Georgia Democratic strategist Fred Hicks. 'There's a deep appreciation for her putting Georgia in play through her work with the New Georgia Project, Fair Fight and her 2018 run,' Hicks continued. 'But I think after that '22 election and all the things that have happened in the state since then, Democrats are really focused on trying to put forth a candidate they feel like can win next year.' Abrams first became a national figure around the 2018 gubernatorial election. Having previously served as Georgia state House minority leader, she came within 1.5 points of winning the governor's race in a state that hadn't elected a Democratic governor in 20 years. She launched an organization called Fair Fight, dedicated to protecting voter rights, shortly after that election and delivered the Democratic response to President Trump's State of the Union Address in 2019. Her years-long efforts to flip Georgia paid big dividends in 2020, when the state voted for former President Biden and elected two Democratic senators. One of them, Sen. Raphael Warnock was reelected two years later when he ran for a full six-year term. But Abrams has struggled as a candidate herself. She sought a rematch against Gov. Brian Kemp (R) in 2022 but lost by more than 7 points. Democrats say they credit Abrams for contributing to shifting Georgia from a solidly red state to a battleground, but that it's best for them to look elsewhere. They said they recognize her strengths in name identification, fundraising and enthusing voters, but her past losses may be a sign. 'Third time is the who-knows-what,' said national Democratic strategist Jon Reinish. 'There's one major figure in American history for whom the third time was the charm — that was Reagan running for president.' 'These days, when voters are so eager for fresh, baggage-free figures, I don't know if that path to victory can still play out,' Reinish said. Abrams also faced controversy for years over allegations that two nonprofits she founded, the New Georgia Project and the New Georgia Project Action Fund, violated state law in campaigning for her but not registering as a political committee. The groups were fined $300,000 in January. A spokesperson for Abrams said at the time she hasn't been involved with the groups since she left in 2017. Hicks said questions have lingered about Abrams's campaign finances since 2018, but he doesn't believe that was the main obstacle facing her in 2022. He said a 'common refrain' he heard during that election was that the Abrams campaign was too focused on national media and grasstops advocacy rather than grassroots campaigning. He noted that Warnock outperformed her that year, making it to a runoff before eventually winning his Senate race, while Abrams wasn't close to winning governor. 'Everyone expects that she would be quite profitable in terms of raising money, and the primary would draw a lot of attention to the race, but there are great concerns about whether or not she could win in November,' Hicks said. The Hill has reached out to a spokesperson for Abrams for comment. She isn't the only rumored possible Democratic candidate considering a run. State Sen. Jason Esteves has already launched a campaign, while former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms filed paperwork to run last month. Former DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond and state Rep. Derrick Jackson have also indicated interest. Democrats expressed optimism at their chances of winning the governor's race, particularly with Kemp, who has been a popular governor and effective candidate, term-limited. 'I just think we need people who are young and aggressive, who are going to go after the Republicans,' said one Georgia Democrat. Strategist Antjuan Seawright said the most important characteristic for candidates thinking of running is to not be 'selfish' and focus on who has the best chance to win and can speak to what Georgians want in their leader. 'I don't think there's early favorites when it comes to political primaries, because it's all about peaking at the right time,' Seawright said. 'I think the most important thing is who's going to be able to define the opposition but also define the things that we are for as Democrats out in Georgia.' Meanwhile, Republicans have expressed eagerness at the prospect of twice-defeated Abrams running again, expecting it would give the eventual GOP nominee an easier path to victory. GOP strategist Jay Williams said the negatives are rising and that if she had a chance to win, it was in 2018. 'Republicans weren't as well-prepared for that,' he said. 'There was a little bit of disbelief at the time that a Democrat could win. When all that went down, Republicans started to get their act together.' Hicks also credited Abrams with the other victories that Democrats have had since 2020, including Warnock's two wins and the one from Sen. Jon Ossoff. 'Georgia wouldn't be where it is without her. Sen. Warnock wouldn't be there. Sen. Ossoff wouldn't be in there,' he said. He said Abrams should try to find objective third-party polling showing she is the strongest candidate and can win a general election before making a decision. If she has that, circumstances and voter sentiment can change. But Hicks added that some figures are naturally better suited to organizing and calling attention to an issue or election than succeeding as a candidate themselves. 'Some people are better at organizing and bringing attention than they are winning the races themselves,' he said. 'And there's no shame that Democrats want to win next year, and whoever can give Democrats the best chance, that's who they want to get behind.'
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Georgia Attorney General race: Sen. Bill Cowsert announces campaign
ATLANTA - A high-profile state lawmaker with deep ties to Georgia politics is making a bid for the state's top legal post, signaling a contentious Republican primary ahead, according to The Associated Press. What we know Georgia state Sen. Bill Cowsert of Athens officially announced Wednesday that he's running for state attorney general in 2026. The long-serving Republican becomes the second in his party to jump into the race, following state Sen. Brian Strickland of McDonough, who filed campaign paperwork earlier this year. The seat is opening up because current Attorney General Chris Carr plans to run for governor. RELATED: Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr launches Republican bid in 2026 governor's race Cowsert, a fixture in the state Senate since 2007, represents parts of Athens-Clarke, Oconee, Walton, Barrow, and Gwinnett counties. He previously served four years as Senate majority leader and is the brother-in-law of Gov. Brian Kemp. His announcement marks another step in a growing field of state lawmakers eyeing higher office—at least nine of Georgia's 56 senators are said to be considering such moves ahead of the 2026 election. What they're saying In a sharply worded campaign announcement, Cowsert positioned himself as a law-and-order candidate focused on high-profile issues such as immigration and drug trafficking. "I envision a Georgia where our families are safe, and illegal immigrants, sex traffickers, violent gangs and fentanyl pushers are too afraid to cross the state line," he said. Cowsert also said, "Let me be clear. I will use every power allowed by law to slam the door shut on sanctuary cities like my hometown of Athens." Dig deeper Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, was killed in February 2024 while jogging at the University of Georgia in Athens. A Venezuelan immigrant – Jose Ibarra -- who entered the United States illegally was sentenced to life in prison last year for her muder. Riley's murder by Ibarra became a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration during the 2024 presidential election. Cowsert also highlighted his leadership role on a Senate committee investigating Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her prosecution of President Donald Trump. The inquiry, which has garnered considerable attention, has so far produced little new information about Willis or her decision to appoint Nathan Wade—who was in a personal relationship with her—as a special prosecutor. Willis was disqualified last year from prosecuting the case against Trump and his co-defendants because of misconduct. She has appealed that ruling. A bill sponsored by Cowsert this year expanded the Senate committee's scope so that it can examine groups affiliated with Stacey Abrams and the New Georgia Project, which settled long-running ethics allegations in January. RELATED STORIES Georgia Senate committee to reissue subpoena for DA Fani Willis in Trump election probe Georgia Senate probes Stacey Abrams' New Georgia Project Georgia Senate committee investigating Fani Willis probes use of special purpose juries The backstory Traditionally, the attorney general's office has focused on representing the state in legal matters, but in recent years its scope has expanded to include greater powers in criminal prosecution. That shift has redefined the political appeal of the position and drawn interest from lawmakers with more aggressive agendas. Cowsert's campaign leans into this evolution, framing the office as a platform to take on what he describes as threats to public safety and state sovereignty. By the numbers 2 Republicans now in the race for Georgia attorney general 9 state senators reportedly exploring bids for higher office in 2026 1 open attorney general seat, as Chris Carr pivots to a gubernatorial run What we don't know No Democrats have announced a run for attorney general, leaving the potential for a lopsided or uncontested Democratic primary. It also remains unclear how Cowsert's close relationship with Gov. Kemp might influence voter perception or intra-party dynamics. What's next With more than a year to go before the 2026 election, the attorney general's race is just beginning to take shape. As campaigns ramp up, more candidates—particularly from the Democratic side—are expected to enter the race. The early Republican competition sets the stage for a high-stakes primary battle centered on law enforcement and state authority.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senate committee may soon open investigation into Stacey Abrams' ties to voting rights group
Georgia lawmakers could approve an investigation into former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. They would be looking into ties to a voting rights group the State Ethics Commission fined Republicans say it's about tracking dark money, while Democrats say it's just politics. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The Senate Special Investigative Committee continues to look into allegations of misconduct by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Now, the Senate is ready to expand that committee's investigative powers so it can also look into Abrams and her ties with the New Georgia Project. Athens republican State Sen. Bill Cowsert said he's just trying to follow the alleged dark money. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] 'Not saying that she did anything inappropriate at all. Just, she was connected with those organizations and that's where the money was being funneled, dark money essentially,' Cowsert told Action News Jax's Atlanta state WSB-TV. In January, the New Georgia Project admitted to 16 violations of Georgia's campaign finance laws and the state ethics commission hit it with a record $300,000 fine. Abrams founded that group but left it 12 years ago. 'This is what happens in Congress. Congress wastes a lot of time on investigations that don't wind up with anything productive,' state Sen. Jason Esteves said. That led Democrats like Esteves to accuse that committee of conducting a politically motivated witch hunt. 'It's election year politics. These are folks who are preparing to run for statewide office next year and they see this as a way to make headlines,' Esteves told Elliot. Cowsert insists this isn't about Abrams, it's about campaign money. 'Allegedly, the New Georgia Project was opening campaign field offices, doing social media advocating, had literature advocating for Stacey Abrams and other candidates, and that is not permissible,' Cowsert said. *WSB-TV Atlanta contributed to this report Read: Georgia teen accepted to 155 colleges in all 50 states totaling $6 million in scholarships Read: Florida attorney general issues warning to Jacksonville mayor regard support on city new Immigration policy Read: Popular Fleming Island restaurant gets in trouble with Clay County after customer dines with dog [SIGN UP: click here] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Georgia Senate probes Stacey Abrams' New Georgia Project
The Brief A special state Senate committee will investigate a grassroots political organization with ties to Stacey Abrams. The committee will launch a probe into the New Georgia Project for alleged financial misconduct. The Senate panel is currently investigating the Fulton County District Attorney, Fani Willis. ATLANTA - The Georgia Senate's investigative branch is looking into the actions of yet another prominent Democrat. Former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abram's New Georgia Project is expected to be the center of a new probe by the special state Senate committee. The backstory The state Senate Special Committee on Investigations was established during last year's legislative session over the objection of Senate Democrats who accused Republicans of playing party politics. The Senate Panel is still investigating Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' accusations of potential conflicts of interest and the misuse of state funds after Willis denied allegations that she benefitted financially from her relationship with former special prosecutor Nathan Wade. Willis came under fire for having a romantic relationship with Wade after she hired him to lead the 2020 Trump election interference case. SEE ALSO: Video surfaces appearing to show Fulton DA Fani Willis, Nathan Wade at LAX Georgia Senate committee pushes for subpoena enforcement in DA Willis probe Fulton County DA Fani Willis ordered to pay $54K to attorney in Trump case Georgia's reimbursement bill would allow Trump to recover costs Fulton County judge rejects DA Willis' Bid to quash Senate committee subpoenas What we know On Thursday, the state Senate voted to launch an investigation into The New Georgia Project. Sen. Bill Cowsert chairs the special committee that is investigating Willis. The Athens Republican sponsored Senate Resolution 292 to launch an investigation after the grassroots organization was fined $300,000 by the State Ethics Commission for allegedly functioning as an illegal Super PAC during Abrams 2018 gubernatorial campaign. What we don't know Cowsert insists Abrams isn't the focus of the probe into the voting rights group. It is unclear what the Senate probe will uncover. What's next The Senate panel is still investigating accusations of potential conflicts of interest and the misuse of state funds after Willis denied allegations that she benefitted financially from her relationship with former special prosecutor Nathan Wade. Willis came under fire for having a romantic relationship with Wade after she hired him to lead the 2020 Trump election interference case. SEE ALSO: Stacey Abrams-founded nonprofit faces crackdown threat from House GOP's top tax writer Stacey Abrams slammed after defending $2B in Biden-era EPA funds to buy green energy appliances Trump accuses Stacey Abrams of wasteful spending in congressional address New Georgia Project faces federal labor complaint amid unionization dispute Teamsters Union threatens labor complaint against New Georgia Project The Source The details in this article come from records from proceedings in the Georgia Legislature. FOX 5's Deidra Dukes spoke with Sen. Bill Cowsert, who chairs the special committee.
