The audience at Georgia Tech’s Ferst Center for the Arts suddenly erupted into a prolonged applause Wednesday as one of the country’s famous Democrats entered the room.
It wasn’t for Vice President Kamala Harris, who wouldn’t arrive for about 30 more minutes. Instead, the packed crowd of students and party leaders was giving Stacey Abrams a standing ovation as she took her front-and-center seat in the theater.
The event was a reminder that Abrams had not long ago pitched herself as President Joe Biden’s running mate before he eventually picked Harris for the job instead.
It was also one of the Democrat’s first public appearances since losing her rematch to Gov. Brian Kemp in November. She hasn’t said what she’ll do next, though she recently told talk show host Drew Barrymore she will “likely run again.”
Credit: Courtesy photo
Credit: Courtesy photo
Whether that’s a third run for governor or another higher office is anyone’s guess. She’s spent her time recently promoting her new books and producing projects.
“I’m excited to be a part of this clean energy movement that will help create thousands of families that can take care of themselves and take care of the environment,” she told reporters at the event highlighting the Biden administration’s renewable energy agenda.
Since her defeat, Abrams’ top aide Lauren Groh-Wargo has issued a 52-part social media post that said it was “nearly impossible” for the Democrat to beat the Republican incumbent. Details have also emerged about the campaign’s “incredibly bad” cash crunch in the final days, despite raising more than $100 million for the run.
Even after losing in November by nearly eight points, Abrams indicated she will seek to remain a force in Georgia politics.
“We know that Georgia is a battleground state, and that means we’re always fighting to move forward, and we’re excited about the work,” she said. “And we’re so delighted to have Vice President Harris here helping anchor for Georgia what we know we are, and what we are capable of.”
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Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
UNITED STATES OF KEMP. Gov. Brian Kemp turned his favorite “hardworking Georgians” phrase into a federal PAC to promote his causes nationally a few months ago. Now the Hardworking Americans PAC has a new forward-facing website.
Kemp’s political team launched the page this morning, complete with a gauzy video featuring his inaugural address and a message that the Republican will use the organization to support federal candidates “who believe we should always put the hardworking men and women of this country first.”
“Good-paying jobs, safe communities, and strong schools — these are the foundation for greater opportunity and prosperity, no matter your zip code,” it reads. “Hardworking Americans Inc. supports federal candidates who back these commonsense priorities and fight for everyone’s freedom to pursue the American Dream.”
He also hired Jenny Drucker and Alex Lawhon to serve as national fundraisers for his political action committee.
“This PAC is going to support candidates who have a backbone, who are principled conservatives, and who put the hardworking men and women of this country first,” said Kemp adviser Cody Hall.
It is yet another signal that Kemp — who is in Washington for part of this week for the latest Republican Governors Association meeting — is continuing to build his national network.
A key piece Washington insiders are watching — whether the candidates Kemp gets behind are part of former President Donald Trump’s enemies list or part of Trump World. With the exception of Kemp himself, few Republicans have managed to navigate both worlds and survive their next elections.
We don’t see the PAC as a sign he’s planning to run for president. But it’s an indication that he wants to stay in the mix in 2024 — and help set the stage for a possible challenge to Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in 2026 — if he decides to take that route.
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Credit: Bob Andres/AJC
Credit: Bob Andres/AJC
MOUNTAIN MOVES. Closer to home, Gov. Brian Kemp is slowly remaking the board that governs the world’s largest Confederate monument.
Two years ago, he appointed the Rev. Abraham Mosley to become the first Black chairman of the Stone Mountain Memorial Association. This week, he tapped Erica Rocker as the first Black woman on the board.
She was one of two appointments the governor made to the influential authority, which oversees the sprawling DeKalb County park.
The other is former state Sen. Jeff Mullis, the Chickamauga Republican who was one of the most powerful members of the state House before he decided against standing for another term.
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Credit: Jason Getz/AJC
Credit: Jason Getz/AJC
UNDER THE GOLD DOME (Legislative Day 16):
- 8 a.m.: Committee hearings begin;
- 10 a.m.: The House gavels in;
- 10 a.m.: The Senate convenes.
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Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC
Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:
Our state Capitol team is keeping its eyes on:
- Legislation to legalize sports betting in Georgia, expected to drop in the state House as soon as today;
- Senate Bill 114, the “City of Buckhead City” cityhood bill, which was assigned to the State and Local Government Operations Committee. Wednesday. Democratic state Sen. Jason Esteves, one of Buckhead’s three state senators who staunchly oppose the breakaway bill, sits on that committee.
- Today’s House Transportation Committee hearing on HB 189, a bill to increase weight limits of freight trucks on local roads. The little bill (it’s three pages) is getting lots of attention from local leaders, powerful industries, and an army of lobbyists looking to hit the gas or pump the brakes on the legislation.
- Senate Bill 63, up for a hearing in the Senate Public Safety Committee today, related to cash bail and mandatory minimum sentencing requirements.
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TODAY IN WASHINGTON:
- President Joe Biden will discuss Social Security, Medicare and health care costs during a speech at the University of Tampa.
- The U.S. House will consider U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde’s resolution disapproving of changes to Washington, D.C.’s criminal code. A separate measure condemning China’s use of a spy balloon over U.S. airspace is also up for a vote.
- Southwest Airlines executives will testify before the Senate Commerce Committee about its canceled-flight chaos during the holiday season.
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NO COMMENT. U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock was on “The Daily Show” this week to promote his new children’s book when Chelsea Handler asked him a show-stopping question.
“Did you write a children’s book so that Herschel Walker would be able to read it?”
The Democrat wisely decided to dodge that question.
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RED FLAG. U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath hosted a news conference with gun control activists Wednesday to condemn a recent federal court ruling on gun possession that they say will lead to more domestic violence shootings.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which covers Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, ruled that the federal law restricting people under a domestic violence restraining order from also possessing a gun is unconstitutional. The decision draws from a June 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, where the conservative majority restricted states’ ability to enact gun control measures.
During Wednesday’s news conference, McBath said the appellate court’s ruling is another roadblock in efforts to end gun violence.
“Survivors of domestic violence and victims of ongoing abuse will now be subjected to the horrifying notion that the next time they stop outside for coffee, or go to the grocery store, or take their child to the park, that a dangerous partner may put the life of themselves and their loved ones at risk,” the Marietta Democrat said.
With control of Congress now split between Democrats and Republicans, activists are now shifting their attention to state laws and federal courts, since no gun-related legislation will come out of Washington for at least the next two years.
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MAINTAIN THE SWAMP. The effort to have the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge designated as a United Nations World Heritage Site got one step closer to reality recently when U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Atlanta, and U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Pooler, formally requested the designation from the Interior Department.
Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC
Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC
The Brunswick News reports that limiting mining in the swamp is part of the motivation for seeking UNESCO designation, but a current permit request from an Alabama company to mine an area outside of the swamp would not be affected.
Supporters of the swamp made a splash in the state Capitol on Wednesday, too.
Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC
Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC
When Lt. Gov. Burt Jones called on state Sen. Russ Goodman to read a resolution about the Okefenokee, the LG invited Goodman to bring his “emotional support animal,” with him, a three-foot alligator named Creature.
Creature was visiting the Capitol as a part of Okefenokee Day at the swamp, er, from the swamp.
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AS ALWAYS, Jolt readers are some of our favorite tipsters. Send your best scoop, gossip and insider info to patricia.murphy@ajc.com, tia.mitchell@ajc.com and greg.bluestein@ajc.com.
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