Stacey Abrams, the Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate, and first Black woman nominee, is about to get some exciting help on the campaign trail. None other than Oprah Winfrey is planning to go to Georgia to campaign on behalf of Abrams.
And Winfrey isn’t taking the easy road, either. She plans to participate in two town halls and knock on doors.
In a statement, Abrams expressed her excitement and gratitude, saying, “Oprah Winfrey has inspired so many of us through the years with her unparalleled ability to form real connections and strengthen the bonds of family and community.”
The last nominee Winfrey campaigned for in-person? Then-candidate Barack Obama, back in 2008. (For the record, Obama himself has also endorsed Abrams, and will be arriving in Atlanta on Friday, November 2 to campaign on her behalf).
Winfrey isn’t the only celebrity going door to door to support Abrams. Rashida Jones, Will Ferrell, Common, and Kelly Rowland are all backing Abrams.
Among other politicans backing Abrams are Senators Cory Booker and Elizabeth Warren, and former Vice President Joe Biden. In contrast, Abrams’ opponent, Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.
The race between Kemp and Abrams is concerningly tight. Right now, Georgia is under the spotlight for allegations of voter suppression (including “losing” thousands of absentee ballot applications) and disenfranchising minority voters. Former President Jimmy Carter has even weighed in, calling for Kemp to resign, as it is a clear conflict of interest for him to oversee an election he himself is running in.
It’s possible that neither candidate will reach the needed 50%, which would lead to a runoff election in December. Luckily for Abrams, Winfrey has an excellent track record for winning over voters.
Abrams feels “honored” to have Winfrey on the campaign trail beside her and looks forward to “uplifting and honest conversations with voters about the clear choice before us in this election and the boundless potential of Georgians.”
Winfrey is due to arrive in Georgia on Thursday, November 1.
Chip in $3 today to help elect Stacey Abrams as Georgia’s next governor and show Brian Kemp and Republicans that we should never accept hate and fear as American values.