GOP targets Stacey Abrams’ comments calling Georgia the ‘worst place to live’

Democrat rising star and Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams has come under fire from Republicans after comments she made in a speech about whether Georgia is the best or ‘worst’ place in the United States to live.

Abrams has defended comments she made when she addressed the audience at the Gwinnett Democrats’ Bluetopia Gala in Norcross on Saturday, saying, “I am tired of hearing about how we’re the best state in the country to do business when we are the worst state in the country to live.” While her GOP opponents were quick to pounce on Abrams for the remark, there was more to the quote.

“Let me contextualize,” Abrams continued in her speech. “When you’re number 48 for mental health, when we’re number one for maternal mortality, when you have an incarceration rate that’s on the rise and wages that are on the decline, then you are not the number one place to live. Georgia is capable of greatness, but we need greatness to be in our governor’s office. We need someone who actually believes in bringing all of us in there together.”

Abrams’ top GOP opponent, incumbent governor Brian Kemp, wasted no time attacking Abrams for her comments at the gala. “Stacey Abrams may think differently, but I believe Georgia is the best state to live, work, and raise a family,” Kemp Tweeted the same day. “And Marty, the girls, and I will work hard every day from now until November to keep it that way for four more years!”

Abrams defended her comments on social media, Tweeting, “GA may be #1 place for biz, but we’re #48 in mental health, #2 in uninsured. #1 in maternal mortality & new HIV cases, #9 in gun violence. For too many, Kemp’s Georgia doesn’t include them. Why? Because #KempDoesntCare. As Governor, I’ll lead #OneGeorgia that’s #1 for all of us.”

Abrams also took aim at her opponent on Tuesday as the primary election took place. “Brian Kemp is a failed governor, who doesn’t care about the people of Georgia,” she said. “If you look at his record, if you look at the results under his four years of leadership, there has been failure after failure.”

At the time of this article, the Georgia primary results had not yet been announced.