Georgia Senate Committee Expands Investigation to Target Stacey Abrams
A Georgia state Senate committee, which has been investigating Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, is now seeking to expand its probe to include Stacey Abrams, a prominent Democratic figure and former gubernatorial candidate. The move, led by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and other Republican lawmakers, comes amid ethics findings involving the New Georgia Project, a voter participation group that Abrams founded in 2013. The committee is also looking into claims by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin regarding the improper allocation of $2 billion to a coalition aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a group Abrams was associated with until late last year.
Abrams Fires Back: "Unfounded Attacks and Baseless Investigations"
Stacey Abrams has dismissed the Republican-led investigation as politically motivated. In a statement, she accused Georgia Republicans of targeting her because they "don’t like her" and are "terrified of the power of the people." Abrams emphasized her work registering and mobilizing thousands of voters across Georgia and her efforts to lower energy prices in the state’s poorest regions. She described the investigations as a "waste of taxpayer dollars" and "baseless attacks." Abrams has been a thorn in the side of Georgia Republicans since her narrow loss to Gov. Brian Kemp in the 2018 gubernatorial race.
Stacey Abrams: A Rising Star in Democratic Politics
Stacey Abrams first gained national attention when she nearly defeated Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in 2018. Her performance in that race, combined with her advocacy for voting rights, catapulted her to national prominence. Abrams later considered a run for the presidency in 2020 and was even mentioned as a potential running mate for Joe Biden. However, her 2022 rematch against Kemp ended in a larger margin of defeat. Despite this, Abrams has remained influential, juggling roles as a writer, entrepreneur, and advocate for clean energy through her work with groups like Rewiring America.
Georgia Republicans Push to Expand Probe Amid Allegations
The Senate Special Committee on Investigations, armed with subpoena power, has been targeting Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her investigation and prosecution of former President Donald Trump. Now, the committee is seeking to expand its probe to include Abrams. Sen. Bill Cowsert, the committee’s chairman, has indicated that Abrams will likely be subpoenaed once the legislature adjourns on April 4. The move has drawn criticism from Senate Democratic Minority Leader Harold Jones II, who accused Republicans of "wasting time and wasting Georgia taxpayers’ money."
New Georgia Project and the $300,000 Ethics Fine
The New Georgia Project, which Abrams founded in 2013 to register and mobilize nonwhite and young voters, has been at the center of the ethics allegations. Earlier this year, the group and its affiliate, the New Georgia Project Action Fund, admitted to violating Georgia’s campaign finance laws by failing to register as an independent campaign committee and failing to disclose contributions and spending. The group was fined $300,000, the largest ethics fine in state history. Abrams, who stepped down from the group in 2017, has denied any involvement with it since then. However, the group’s admission has provided fodder for Republicans seeking to tie her to the violations.
Political Fallout: A $2 Billion Controversy and a Possible 2026 Run
The investigation has also ensnared Abrams in a broader controversy over federal grants. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin has called for the return of $2 billion awarded to Power Forward Communities, a coalition that includes groups like United Way Worldwide and Habitat for Humanity. Abrams worked as senior counsel for Rewiring America, a member of the coalition, until December. While Abrams was not paid by Power Forward Communities, Zeldin has sought to link her to the grant, describing it as "Stacey Abrams’ Power Forward Communities." Abrams’ involvement has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing political tensions in Georgia. With Abrams hinting at a possible third gubernatorial run in 2026, the investigation could have significant implications for her political future. However, with other Democrats already laying the groundwork for their own runs, Abrams may face increased competition within her own party.
