Stacey Abrams, the Democratic nominee for governor in Georgia, said during a debate with Kemp on Sunday night that 107 sheriffs had supported her opponent, incumbent Republican Brian Kemp, because they “want to be able to get black people off the streets.”
Kemp revealed the mass approval of his re-election bid in November 2021, arguing that “it has never been more dangerous to don a uniform, and we have seen that during this once-in-a-century pandemic, civil unrest and the radical defund-the-police movement that continues to gain steam in Washington, DC and other liberal cities across the country.”
“Despite being vilified by many, these men and women get up every day, don their uniforms and serve and protect us,” he added.
The governor has characterized calls for police relief as “just an insane idea”. Abrams has denied supporting abolishing law enforcement, but she serves as a leader in multiple organizations that do.
Earlier this month, Abrams said she “supports law enforcement.” But on Sunday, Abrams took a more hostile approach to the state’s uniformed men and women.
Speaking of the police, Kemp promised to “continue to lend their support,” and after touting the endorsement, Abrams replied, “As I’ve noted before, I’m not a member of the ‘good ole boys’ club.”
“So no, I don’t have 107 sheriffs who want to be able to get black people off the streets, who want to be able to go without accountability,” she continued.
At least one of Kemp’s supporters, Sheriff Charles Davis of Quitman County, a Democrat, is black. Kemp has also been endorsed by the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police, the Police Benevolent Association of Georgia and former Democratic Governor Joe Frank Harris, who called Kemp a “proven leader.”
Kemp rose to the top job in the state after beating Abrams by less than two percentage points in 2018, but he is expected to win by more in their repechage. He leads by almost seven points in the Thirty-fiveEight poll average of the race.
