Stacey Abrams, a two-time unsuccessful Democratic candidate for the governorship of Georgia, has faced a significant six-figure penalty imposed on the nonprofit organization she established prior to her political campaigns, due to violations of election laws. This fine, which amounts to $300,000, has been identified by ethics watchdogs as the largest in the history of the state.
David Emadi, the executive director of Georgia’s ethics commission, confirmed that this penalty against Abrams and the leadership of the New Georgia Project marks a notable event in the commission’s 38-year history. It highlights the extent to which the voter registration organization engaged in questionable practices to enhance Abrams’s chances in her challenging rematch against Governor Brian Kemp in 2022. The initiative, which focused on voter registration efforts within minority communities, was a significant aspect of her campaign strategy leading up to the election.
Founded by Abrams in 2013, the New Georgia Project gained momentum following her defeat in 2018, leveraging her increased national profile to raise approximately $3.2 million. This financial boost contributed to the Democratic Party’s resurgence in the state, culminating in the successful elections of Senators Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) in 2020, both of whom were associated with the organization during the period of the violations.
In response to the fine, a representative for Abrams stated, “We accept this outcome and are eager to turn the page on activities that took place more than five years ago.” Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Senator Warnock refuted any implication that he was involved in financial decision-making for the New Georgia Project. “In this role, Reverend Warnock continued his work as a longtime champion for voting rights. Compliance decisions were not a part of that work,” said Warnock spokesperson Michael Brewer.
The organization not only engaged in unlawful in-kind contributions to Abrams but also neglected to register as an independent campaign committee, thereby violating state election regulations. The ethics commission determined that there were a total of 16 infractions.
In 2019, one year following the gubernatorial election, the New Georgia Project experienced a significant influx of donations amounting to $646,000 and raised an additional $174,000 to support a failed local referendum, both of which the organization did not disclose.
For six years, the organization has contested the allegations, justifying its expenditures as akin to those of other electoral nonprofits in the lead-up to Election Day. The leadership has also accused the ethics commission—composed of one Democrat and four Republicans—of conducting a politically motivated investigation.
Another external organization, Gente for Abrams, was fined $50,000 in 2020 for failing to report numerous activities related to her 2018 campaign.
Abrams, 51, notably declined to concede the election to Kemp after losing by a margin of 1.4 points, only to run again in 2022, where her loss widened to 7.5 points. In recent interviews, she has indicated the possibility of a third gubernatorial campaign in 2026.
