Editor’s note: The following is a concession speech by Stacey Abrams, the Democratic candidate for governor of Georgia. Abram’s campaign was a historically important one, and supporters in Georgia and throughout the country express great remorse at her loss to the far-right Governor Brian Kemp. As governor, he signed the voter suppression bill SB202 in 2021, making sweeping changes to the state’s voters rules, aiming especially at the suppression of the Black vote. SB202 was put into place after Abrams’ 2018 governor campaign in which she turned out a record number of Black, Latinx and Asian voters, and won a larger share of the white vote than President Barack Obama. Investigative journalist Greg Palast says that this year’s mail in absentee ballots in Georgia are reduced by one million ballots when compared to the 2020 election. SB202 includes substantial new restrictions on casting mail-in ballots. Stacey Abram’s program addressed Medicaid expansion, voting rights, free technical college, affordable housing and other necessities.— The Editors
Stacey Abrams’ Concession Speech
“Georgia, thank you. I got into this race for one reason and one reason only: to fight. And not just any fight. A fight to save Georgia. A fight on behalf of our children and generations to come. A fight on behalf of our people. A fight for basic human rights that we take for granted and a fight for the values that we hold dear.
“I know that throughout this campaign, Georgians’ stories were told and lives were changed because of what we did together. This isn’t about politics or even policies. It has always been about people because they are the heart of our campaign.
“Over the last year, in big cities and small towns, in living rooms and classrooms across the state, I have met thousands of people face to face. From the college students I talked to in a coffee shop in Milledgeville to the oldest resident who came out to our rally in Baconton, they wake up every morning wanting more for themselves and their families. What gives me hope is that across this great state, countless Georgians were ready to come off the sidelines and fight for the Georgia of our greatest imagination.
“And that matters.
“So to every volunteer, every organizer, every door knocker, every phone banker, every texter, every prayer warrior, every donor, every dreamer and believer, every person who lifted your hands and lifted your voices. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. To the people of Georgia, thank you for believing in me and for fighting for change with me.
Righteous fights never end. Let’s keep getting it done.”
A few comments from social media posts from the thousands of supporters of Stacey Abram’s campaign for governor:
“We’re honored to be part of the multi-racial, multi-generational coalition tirelessly breaking down barriers to the ballot box and driving record-breaking turnout despite blatant voter suppression. We’ve made tremendous progress we can be proud of, and we know the work is good. Please rest, take care of yourselves, and if you need to—reconnect with the joy in the fight for a better Georgia. Because we don’t do this work for any one candidate nor election, we do it for the people of Georgia. And the fight continues.”
“There are two reasons Stacey Abrams lost her bid for governor in Georgia. Racism and misogyny. You don’t overcome those obstacles easily in a Southern state. Stop dissing her. She ran a great campaign. She reached across the country and beyond for support. How else do you counter an electorate bent on maintaining the status quo?”
“You are doing big things! Please don’t stop. You are the “hope” most of us living in the South need. You are so much bigger than just Georgia. The role you are playing in Georgia is so very important for inspiring, organizing and preparing people for the successful participation in our government. Please continue! Don’t give up! You are the light of hope in many eyes!”
Articles below that were published in the People’s Tribune speak to the 2020 governor campaign of Stacey Abrams:
Voter Suppression Demands Defense of Voting Rights
https://peoplestribune.org/2020/03/voter-suppression-demands-defense-of-voting-rights/
Movement Rises to Defend the Vote and Democracy Itself
https://peoplestribune.org/2021/04/movement-rises-to-defend-the-vote-and-democracy-itself/
