Georgia judge uncertain about Stacey Abrams’ request for unlimited campaign funds

A Georgia judge is still deliberating on a decision over whether to allow gubernatorial candidate Stacy Abrams to begin raising unlimited campaign funds under a new law signed by incumbent Governor Brian Kemp, who is also running for reelection.

Abrams filed in March to be allowed to access unlimited campaign donations the same way Kemp had been since he quietly signed a new law in May last year that allows him to form a leadership committee, a special political action committee that can coordinate with his own campaign to accept unlimited contributions. The law allows campaigns to avoid federal campaign donation limits.

US District Judge Mark Cohen told attorneys for Abrams on Monday he was unsure how to proceed because Abrams’ request would mean the judge would effectively have to rewrite the law.

Currently, the law allows for candidates running for certain offices to partake. Abrams has not been officially nominated yet, but her argument is that since the filing deadline for entering the race closed and she is the only Democrat running, she is automatically the candidate.

“The remedy you’re asking me to do, I’m uncomfortable with, because you’re asking me to rewrite the statute,” Cohen said. “The law of Georgia says she’s not the nominee.”

Abrams attorneys argued, “Every day we are not allowed to raise and the Kemp campaign is allowed to raise is a day we are on unequal footing,” as Kemp’s campaign continues to collect donations. The judge is expected to rule by the end of the week.