Stacey Abrams Addresses 2018 Election Loss

During an appearance on “Nicol Wallace and the Best People,” former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams clarified that she never outright denied losing the 2018 election.

Abrams has previously contended that systemic racism and voter suppression in Georgia played significant roles in her defeat against Governor Brian Kemp. She mentioned in a podcast that her responses should not be misconstrued as denial; rather, she emphasized celebrating the “progress” she felt was achieved, framing it almost as a victory in its own right.

“After losing the election in 2018, I was certainly not confused about the results. I engaged with the community and conveyed my belief that we had won,” she remarked. “What I intended to express was that securing a title doesn’t negate the progress we made. When you strive to protect democracy and serve the people, the aim of those who oppose you is often to silence you.”

She went on to express, “We remain free each day, and that is a form of progress. But if we wait for monumental announcements like election outcomes to recognize victory, we will continue to face setbacks. We should seek out the small victories and moments of progress wherever we can find them.”

Initially, following her loss to Kemp, Abrams voiced skepticism about the election results. On November 16, 2018, she acknowledged that Kemp would be “certified as the winner,” but insisted that it was not a fair election. In a conversation on MSNBC shortly after, she stated, “I believe the election was ‘stolen.’ While I can’t say with absolute certainty that I won, it’s undeniable that many Georgians were disenfranchised and unable to vote.”

Abrams also campaigned again against Kemp in 2022 but did not succeed.