Georgia Democrats speak out against Stacey Abrams after she loses second consecutive election in landslide

Democrat Stacey Abrams implied in her concession speech that persecution is one reason among many why she lost her second consecutive campaign to become governor of Georgia.

But Georgia Democrats say Abrams must take responsibility for her convincing defeat.

What are they saying?

After her 2018 defeat, Abrams infamously refused to concede and for years attributed her loss to factors outside her control. Still, she quickly rose to stardom in the Democratic Party and became a national force who raised significant sums of money for Democrats.

But Abrams' second loss to Republican Brian Kemp — this time by a margin of 7.5% — has Democrats second-guessing her political prowess.

State Rep. Derrick Jackson (D) told the New York Times that black organizations urged Abrams to meet with them earlier this year, but she didn't because of her schedule. But when her poll numbers began dropping, she finally did.

"Stacey must own some of this," Jackson said. "If you’re running a statewide race, if you venture off and you nationalize it, then that’s problematic."

Moreover, David Brand, whom the Times described as "a veteran Atlanta Democratic strategist," said that many times Abrams was meeting with people virtually while her opponent was meeting them face to face.

"She’s having Zoom meetings with black businesspeople," Brand said. "Brian Kemp’s having cocktails with them.

Democrat Jason Carter, who lost the 2014 Georgia gubernatorial election, said that Abrams' national profile came with consequences, like twice losing an election in her home state.

"She had spent an enormous amount of time being a national figure on really crucially important issues," Carter told the Times. "That national profile is really important and has enormous value, but it also has consequences."

Anything else?

During her concession speech, Abrams quoted a famous Bible verse describing persecution in the early church, thus implying her circumstances are similar.

"I am ... reminded of what Scripture tells us," Abrams said before reciting 2 Corinthians 4:8, "We are troubled on every side yet not distressed. We are perplexed, but not in despair. Persecuted, but not forsaken. Cast dead on but not destroyed."

"I know the results aren't what we hoped for tonight, and I understand that you are hurting and you are disappointed — I am too," she continued. "We may not have made it to the finish line. But we ran that race. And we know this path and we know that running is what matters. That standing is what matters. That defending is what matters."