Abrams Ends Georgia Bid With Fiery Parting Shot

It's over in Georgia: Stacey Abrams called a press conference Friday to acknowledge that Republican Brian Kemp will be the state's next governor, reports Politico. But Abrams made clear that she thinks Kemp, who oversaw the election as secretary of state, is guilty of foul play. "To watch an elected official who claims to represent the people in this state baldly pin his hopes for election on the suppression of the people’s democratic right to vote has been truly appalling,” Abrams said, per the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

“So, let’s be clear," she said. "This is not a speech of concession. Because concession means to acknowledge an action is right, true or proper. As a woman of conscience and faith, I cannot concede that. But my assessment is the law currently allows no further viable remedy.” Abrams, who had been vying to become the nation's first black female governor, accused Kemp of "gross mismanagement" of the election, per the AP. Still, she said she would pray for his success. Kemp, for his part, praised his opponent's "passion, hard work, and commitment to public service." (More Stacey Abrams stories.)