Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams (D) said on Saturday that Georgia is the “worst state” to live in. Her comment comes days before the state’s primary election on Tuesday.
Abrams gave a speech at the Gwinnet Democrats’ Bluetopia Gala over the weekend, according to an audio recording posted by the Gwinnett Daily Post.
“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,” Abrams said.
“Let me contextualize,” she continued. “When you’re No. 48 for mental health, we you're No. 1 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 No. 1 place to live.”
She added that the state is “capable of greatness” but that “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 defended her comments on Twitter, where she cited mental health, maternal mortality, HIV cases and gun violence as reasons why Georgia is not a good place to live. She blamed it on current governor, GOP Gov. Brain Kemp.
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
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) May 22, 2022
As Governor, I’ll lead #OneGeorgia that’s #1 for all of us.
Kemp fired back at Abrams, calling Georgia the “best state to live, work, and raise a family.”
Stacey Abrams may think differently, but I believe Georgia is the best state to live, work, and raise a family.
— Brian Kemp (@BrianKempGA) May 22, 2022
And Marty, the girls, and I will work hard every day from now until November to keep it that way for four more years! https://t.co/T77LF1DroP
Abrams is the presumptive Democratic nominee for Georgia Governor. Kemp is running for reelection. Former U.S. Senator David Perdue, a Republican, is looking to unseat him, as Townhall reported.