Stacey Abrams made history on Tuesday night when she became the first black woman to win the Georgia Democratic gubernatorial primary. Now, she will attempt to become the country’s first black woman governor.
She could also be Georgia’s first woman governor if she wins the November election in the predominately Republican state.
“We are writing the next chapter of Georgia history, where no one is unseen, no one is unheard and no one is uninspired,” Abrams told supporters in Atlanta Tuesday night at her victory party. “Now let’s go get it done.”
Georgia has elected Republican governors since 2003 and the state was a win for President Donald Trump in 2016, USA Today reports.
Abrams, a longtime Georgia legislator, beat former state Rep. Stacey Evans by almost three-fourths of the vote. Evans quickly backed Abrams once the race was called.
“Congratulations, Stacey Abrams,” Evans tweeted. “It was an honor to run in this historic primary against you. Now it’s time to rally behind our nominee – let’s turn Georgia blue, y’all.”
In the GOP gubernatorial primary, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Secretary of State Brian Kemp will advance to a runoff set for July 24, with both men having missed 50% the vote, plus one ballot, needed to avoid a runoff election.
Abrams is part of a larger group of black women from across the country who are throwing their hats in the ring and running for office. We expect to see many similar milestones this upcoming November.
