Advertisement

Democrat Stacey Abrams quits governor’s race, will sue over mismanagement of elections

Click to play video: 'Stacey Abrams acknowledges Brian Kemp will be Georgia governor'
Stacey Abrams acknowledges Brian Kemp will be Georgia governor
WATCH: Georgia Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee Stacey Abrams said on Friday that the state failed its voters and won't concede the race, but will instead file a federal lawsuit against the state of Georgia – Nov 16, 2018

Democrat Stacey Abrams says she will file a federal lawsuit to challenge the “gross mismanagement” of Georgia elections.

Abrams made the comments in a Friday speech, shortly after she said she can’t win the race, effectively ending her challenge to Republican Brian Kemp.

READ MORE: Why Stacey Abrams refuses to concede the Georgia governor’s race to Brian Kemp

She said: “In the coming days, we will be filing a major federal lawsuit against the state of Georgia for the gross mismanagement of this election and to protect future elections.”

WATCH: Abrams says she believes there was deliberate disenfranchisement for years in Georgia

Click to play video: 'Abrams says she believes there was deliberate disenfranchisement for years in Georgia'
Abrams says she believes there was deliberate disenfranchisement for years in Georgia

Kemp is Georgia’s former secretary of state. Abrams and voting rights activists have argued for months that Kemp mismanaged the elections system in his post.

Story continues below advertisement

He was backed by President Donald Trump.

WATCH: Brian Kemp ‘has purged an unprecedented number of voters,’ says Abrams campaign

Click to play video: 'Brian Kemp ‘has purged an unprecedented number of voters’: Stacey Abrams campaign'
Brian Kemp ‘has purged an unprecedented number of voters’: Stacey Abrams campaign

A spokesman for the Kemp campaign didn’t answer his phone and didn’t immediately respond to a text message seeking comment after Abrams’ speech.

Abrams made her announcement just after 5 p.m. That was the earliest state officials could certify the results after a court-ordered review of absentee, provisional and other uncounted ballots. Abrams’ campaign had contended there were potentially enough uncounted votes to force a runoff.

WATCH: Stacey Abrams lawyers says they will litigate until every person’s vote has been counted in Georgia

Click to play video: 'Stacey Abrams lawyers says they will litigate until every person’s vote has been counted in Georgia'
Stacey Abrams lawyers says they will litigate until every person’s vote has been counted in Georgia

Abrams had hoped to become the first black governor of the Deep South state and the first black female governor of any state.

Advertisement

Sponsored content

AdChoices