Georgia Leader Makes History

Georgia State Representative Stacy Abrams shocked the world of politics when she became the first African American woman nominated by a major party for governor when she handily defeated her moderate Democratic rival,  also a woman, in Georgia's Democratic Primary for what is expected to be an uphill battle for the state's governorship.

Abrams,  however, made a name for herself long before her stunning victory in the Georgia Democratic Primary for governor.

Abrams' road to success started in her youth.  She was raised by hardworking parents in Gulfport, Mississippi, and Atlanta, Georgia, who emphasized education and community involvement.  As a high school honors student, she worked as a typist for a Congressional campaign and was promoted to speechwriter because of her writing ability and grasp of current events. After graduation,  she enrolled in Spelman College to study Economics, Political Science, and Sociology.  While there,  she was hired by the mayor's office to mentor troubled youth.  After graduating Magnum Cum Laude with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies,  she earned her J.D. from Yale University and later an MPA from the University of Texas-Austin, as she was on her way to stake her claim in law and politics.

She was hired by one of Atlanta's top law firms. She handled cases involving tax-exempt organizations, healthcare, and public finance.  She was appointed Deputy City Attorney for Atlanta at age 29 due to her reputation as a lawyer. 

Abrams entered politics in 2006.  She won a seat in the Georgia General Assembly as a State Representative and assumed office in 2007.  One of her accomplishments has been to preserve Georgia's H.O.P.E. Scholarship, which helps deserving students pay for most of their college education.  Abrams' Democratic colleagues in the House voted her Minority Leader in 2011 for her leadership ability.

After serving ten years in the Georgia General Assembly,  Abrams threw her hat into the 2018 race for governor.  She received over 70 percent of the vote against her moderate white female opponent in the State Democratic Primary by taking a progressive stance on education and economic development.  She and other Democrats believe the party can take back the governor's office by energizing the base instead of reaching out to Conservatives against her potential GOP challenger,  who's locked in a run-off.  She will either face Secretary of State Brian Kemp,  who's seen as a throwback to Georgia's segregationist past,  or Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, who has the backing of the GOP establishment.

Whomever Abrams faces in the general election for governor of Georgia,  Democrats realize it will be a hard-fought battle.  She will have to run up the score in Metro Atlanta, pick off predominantly black counties in middle and South Georgia, and do well in communities where blacks are half the population.  She must also pound away at issues important to all Georgians.  By doing so,  she will be the victor. 

Source:  Wikipedia