Stacey Abrams endorses Atlanta pastor in Georgia Senate bid

Voting rights advocate and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams (D) on Thursday endorsed Atlanta pastor the Rev. Raphael Warnock for Senate, the same day he announced his 2020 candidacy for the seat vacated by Sen. Johnny Isakson’s (R) retirement.

“Reverend Raphael Warnock is a true ally in our fight for justice,” Abrams tweeted, quote-tweeting Warnock’s announcement video. “That’s why I’m proud to endorse him for U.S. Senate here in GA.”

ENDORSEMENT TWEET: Reverend Raphael Warnock is a true ally in our fight for justice. That’s why I’m proud to endorse him for U.S. Senate here in GA. Take a moment to get to know him & if you can, chip in to support his campaign: https://t.co/c9tkvgYL2m #gasen #gapol https://t.co/GLyO5yKjmy

— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) January 30, 2020

The endorsement comes as a fight for the Republican nomination is brewing, with Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), who emerged as one of President Trump’s most vocal defenders in the House’s impeachment hearings, announcing he will challenge Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R), who Gov. Brian Kemp (R) appointed to the seat to fill the seat earlier this month.

Abrams also sent out a fundraising email touting Warnock on Thursday, according to Politico, praising his leadership on “issues of social justice, economic access and voting rights.”

“Georgia deserves a proven leader like Raphael Warnock — a son of South Georgia who knows our state inside and out — he’s traveled its highways, visited its towns and served its people for decades,” the fundraising email adds.

A special election to complete Isakson’s term, which was to end in 2023, will be held in November, with all candidates of all parties competing and a runoff set for January 2021 if no candidate achieves a simple majority. Abrams has declined attempts by state Democrats to run against either Loeffler or Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.), who is also up for reelection.

Abrams is the latest of several high-profile Democrats to endorse Warnock, including Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), but the highest-profile figure in Georgia Democratic politics so far.

“Some might ask why a pastor thinks he should serve in the Senate,” Warnock, the senior pastor at Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, said in his announcement. “Well, I’ve committed my whole life to service and helping people realize their highest potential. I’ve always thought that my impact doesn’t stop at the church door. That’s actually where it starts.”