Abrams is the two-time Georgia gubernatorial loser. Now she’s opening up about her future plans.
And Stacey Abrams made an election announcement that is raising eyebrows.
Abrams Opts Out of 2026 Georgia Governor Race
After suffering defeats in two consecutive bids for Georgia governor, Democrat Stacey Abrams has announced she will not pursue a third campaign in 2026, choosing instead to concentrate on national efforts against what she describes as authoritarian threats under President Donald Trump.
Abrams shared her decision in a statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Americans are in pain but they are ready to act, and now is the moment to reconnect to what is at stake and what is possible. It’s clear to me that the most effective way I can serve right now is by continuing to do this important work. For that reason, I will not seek elected office in 2026.”
This comes after Abrams, a former Georgia state House Democratic leader and prominent voting-rights activist, narrowly lost to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in 2018 and was defeated by a wider margin in their 2022 rematch.
Sources had indicated last spring that she was considering another run to succeed the term-limited Kemp, but her choice to step aside opens the field further for other contenders.
Reflecting on Past Campaigns and Political Influence
Abrams gained national prominence during her 2018 race, nearly becoming the first Black woman elected governor in the U.S., though her post-election refusal to formally concede drew criticism and made her a frequent target for Republicans.
Following that loss, she founded Fair Fight, contributed to Democratic successes in Georgia’s 2020 presidential and 2021 Senate races, but raised over $110 million only to face a decisive defeat in 2022.
In recent years, elements of her political infrastructure have encountered setbacks, including the New Georgia Project—which she founded—ceasing operations last year after a $300,000 fine for improper coordination during her 2018 campaign.
With Abrams now sidelining herself from the gubernatorial contest, questions linger about her future electoral viability amid these challenges and the evolving Democratic landscape in Georgia.
Emerging Field for 2026 Gubernatorial Nomination
The Democratic primary has attracted several candidates in Abrams’ absence. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who held a role in the Biden White House, is viewed as a leading contender.
Other entrants include former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan—a one-time Republican now running as a moderate Democrat—former state Rep. Ruwa Romman, and former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond.
On the Republican side, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones enjoys endorsement from President Trump, while Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger are also competing.
Abrams emphasized continuity in her non-electoral role, stating: “The antidote to authoritarianism and its harms has always been democracy; and I have long believed that democracy requires active engagement and staunch defenders. But democracy is experienced by the vast majority through the work of government — when it fails, we are all imperiled.”
