From Rising Star to Controversial Figure: What Went Wrong for Abrams?
Stacey Abrams was once the face of Georgia’s Democratic resurgence, a force that seemed poised to change the political landscape. But after a series of missteps and controversies, the shine around her has dulled. How did a woman who was hailed as a future star of national politics fall out of favor?
Back in 2018, Abrams was the name on everyone’s lips. She had become a symbol of hope for many, especially in liberal circles where her talent was undeniable. Whether it was her deep understanding of policy or her charisma on the campaign trail, Abrams had a reputation for being exceptionally skilled in the art of politics. But even with these qualities, she lost the Georgia governor’s race to Brian Kemp. The margin of her defeat, though narrow, was significant in a state that was still considered solidly Republican. This close loss, however, fueled her rise. In the years that followed, Abrams was credited with organizing a historic voter-registration and turnout operation, helping Joe Biden, Raphael Warnock, and Jon Ossoff flip Georgia blue in 2020.
Yet, just five years later, Abrams finds herself a shadow of the politician she once was. Republican enthusiasm for her has waned, and many Democrats are disillusioned by her lackluster performance in recent races. The political magic she once wielded seems to have vanished, and she is, in many ways, to blame.
A Misstep After 2018
Abrams’s refusal to concede the 2018 election may have been a major turning point. While it didn’t spiral into the chaos of Trump’s post-2020 antics, it did leave a mark on her reputation. Her stubbornness to accept the result made her appear petty in the eyes of some, overshadowing the grace with which other political figures navigated similar defeats. This move, along with her increasing focus on national media, seemed to sever her connection to Georgia’s political reality.
By the time 2022 rolled around, Abrams was ready for a rematch with Brian Kemp. She had raised an astounding $54 million—double the amount she raised four years prior—but this time, she lost by an even larger margin: nearly 300,000 votes. It wasn’t just that she lost; she finished with fewer votes than three other Democrats on the statewide ballot. The sense that her national visibility had outpaced her ability to connect with voters at home was becoming all too clear.
Settling Legal Controversies
But as if political missteps weren’t enough, Abrams’s political future was further complicated last week when two non-profit organizations tied to her settled a long-standing ethics complaint. These groups admitted to violating state campaign finance laws and illegally spending over $3 million to aid Abrams in her 2018 campaign. The organizations will pay a hefty fine of $300,000 as part of the settlement.
For years, Abrams and her supporters denied the charges, claiming that they were politically motivated—pointing out that Kemp had a history of using the powers of his office to undermine his opponents. In fact, during the 2018 race, Kemp himself had made baseless accusations about Democrats attempting to hack state election systems. Nonetheless, the settlement casts a long shadow over Abrams’s career, one that already seemed tarnished by her recent political performance.
The Road Ahead for Abrams
Where does Abrams go from here? After all, it’s not just her electoral record that’s being questioned, but now her involvement in illegal campaign activities. As one of the most recognized faces in the Democratic Party, her fall from grace is puzzling to many who once saw her as a political savant.
For Abrams, the timing of these controversies is devastating. A Democratic Party struggling to find new leaders and fresh faces could have used her star power to continue the fight for Georgia’s growing blue base. But with these legal issues hanging over her, and the memory of her crushing losses still fresh in voters’ minds, it’s unclear whether Abrams can ever fully reclaim her former status.
In politics, timing is everything—and unfortunately for Abrams, it seems her political aspirations have been repeatedly bookended by the worst possible timing.
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