The Real Reasons Stacey Abrams May Have Lost Georgia’s Gubernatorial Race

This year’s elections that took place earlier in November were somewhat controversial and caused plenty of debate between voters on both sides of the aisle. Among Hershel Walker and Steven Warnock, Stacey Abrams was a candidate who generated conversation about her gubernatorial run for Georgia. Many rallied in support of Abrams, who would have been the first Black woman to serve as the southern state governor and was the first Black woman to run for Georgia state governor. However, she ultimately lost to Republican Brian Kemp, Georgia’s current Governor. Some have questioned if Abrams' loss was more so centered around anti-Blackness and sizeism — among other factors related to the former candidates’ appearance and personal life — as opposed to her experience and promise.

As votes continued to be tallied throughout the evening and into the night of November 8, it eventually became clear that the democratic candidate and former Minority Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives had lost her gubernatorial run to the current Georgia Governor, Republican Brian Kemp. It was a disappointing loss to the many voters who supported Abrams and were optimistic about her taking over the helm as governor. The loss was especially disappointing, as this was Abrams’ second gubernatorial bid. Many of her supporters have been at a loss when trying to understand possible factors behind the outcome better.

Abrams received widespread support, and many expressed excitement over promises she made, such as expanding Medicaid, making housing more affordable for Georgia residents, providing better support to Georgia small businesses and small farms, and providing free technical college and need-based financial aid to college students. Some are pointing to factors that had very little to do with her politics and experience and more with her appearance and personal life. Goldie Taylor wrote an article for the Daily Beast after Abrams lost, where she referred to her as “a symbol, the living embodiment of what many believed Georgia could and should be.” Taylor also explored some of the factors that may have contributed to Abrams’ loss.

In the article, Taylor echoed the sentiments of others about some of the scrutiny that Abrams faced that other candidates had not. Questions related to her weight, marital status, and sexuality — to name a few. Specifically, questions about her losing weight and if she was married. Previous articles by various publications have even been published about Abrams’ weight. Taylor argued that to some conservatives, Abrams represented “everything they feared most— a proverbial boogeyman,” with a loosey-goosey crime policy, who was determined to raise their taxes and forever destroy their way of life. All of which Taylor acknowledged were severe exaggerations from reality and only resided in the minds of some white conservatives. However, others have argued that Abrams’ appearance was also why she lost her second gubernatorial run.

Simply put, many argue that Stacey Abrams is a brilliant political powerhouse with tremendous promise and potential. But she is also an outspoken Black female progressive. She does not have long, flowing hair down her back. Instead, she wears a short natural hairstyle. She does not wear a size two. Instead, she is full-figured. Her skin is not fair like Vice President Kamala Harris or President Barak Obama. Instead, she is a deep rich brown complexion. She is an unmistakable and unapologetic Black woman with a commanding presence. Many are questioning if Abrams were fairer in complexion with long, straight hair and a slighter more petite frame, would she have been more digestible not only to white conservatives but also to some democrats and even some members of the Black community, such as rapper, Killer Mike. Although unfortunate that such questions still must be posed in 2022, they are not entirely absurd given the constant issues that persist in America related to racism, sexism, misogyny, anti-Blackness, sizeism, and colorism.