BREAKING: In A Fundraising Lawsuit, A Federal Judge Has Given A Final Verdict Against Stacey Abrams

Under the rules of a state statute approved last year, a fundraising organization linked with Democratic gubernatorial contender Stacey Abrams is not entitled to receive limitless donations, according to a federal judge. Abrams, who campaigned for governor of Georgia unsuccessfully in 2018, and her unapproved leadership committee One Georgia filed suit last month, requesting that the court allow the committee to receive unlimited funds because she is effectively the nominee because she is running unchallenged.

The Hill continues, Last year, a new statute endorsed by Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who is running for a second term and has already created his own leadership group, legalized the use of such committees. A select few elite candidates, including the incumbent governor and major party nominees, can use the committees. However, U.S. District Judge Mark Cohen ruled on Thursday that, while Abrams is running unopposed for the Democratic governorship, she cannot yet be declared her party’s nominee since she has not yet completed the primary.

Under a state legislation established last year, a fundraising organization linked to Georgia Democratic gubernatorial contender Stacey Abrams cannot immediately begin soliciting limitless quantities of money, a federal judge determined on Thursday. Last month, Abrams and her yet-to-be-approved leadership group, One Georgia, filed a lawsuit, requesting that the fundraising committee be permitted to accept unlimited contributions because Abrams is already the Democratic contender for governor.

Last year, a new statute endorsed by Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who is running for a second term and has already created his own leadership group, legalized the use of such committees. A select few elite candidates, including the incumbent governor and major party nominees, can use the committees. However, U.S. District Judge Mark Cohen ruled on Thursday that, while Abrams is running unopposed for the Democratic governorship, she cannot yet be declared her party’s nominee since she has not yet completed the primary.

Yes, Georgians’ medical debt was reduced because to Stacey Abrams’ group. Allowing One Georgia to begin soliciting unlimited funds before the primary would necessitate the court “essentially rewriting” the legislation, according to Cohen. Georgia’s gubernatorial primary will be held on May 24. Lauren Groh-Wargo, Abrams’ campaign manager, stated that the decision made on Thursday makes it “more crucial than ever” for supporters to “donate everything they can” directly through Abrams’ campaign website.

It’s not the first time a court battle has erupted over Georgia leadership committees. Former Senator David Perdue (R-Ga.), who is running for the Republican nomination, sued Kemp earlier this year over his usage of a leadership committee. In that lawsuit, a court ruled in favor of Perdue and prevented Kemp from utilizing the funds in the primary, but not in the general election.

Allowing One Georgia to begin soliciting unlimited funds before the primary would necessitate the court “essentially rewriting” the legislation, according to Cohen. The state’s gubernatorial primaries are set for May 24, according to The Hill. Following Thursday’s ruling, Lauren Groh-Wargo, Abrams’ campaign manager, stated that “it is more vital than ever” for supporters to “donate everything they can” directly through the candidate’s website.

“This isn’t the first time a legal battle has erupted around Georgia leadership committees. Kemp was sued by former Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.), who is running for the Republican nomination, earlier this year over his use of a leadership committee, according to The Hill. The judge backed with Perdue and barred Kemp from spending any of the money in the primary but not in the general election.

During oral arguments earlier this week, an attorney for Abrams’ gubernatorial campaign told Cohen, an Obama appointment, that she was asking him to basically rewrite an existing state statute in order to allow Abrams’ One Georgia political action committee to begin accepting money.

During a hearing in Atlanta, Cohen told lawyer Joyce Lewis, “The remedy you’re asking me to do, I’m uncomfortable with, because you’re asking me to rewrite the statute.” If Abrams’ lawyers had sought that he shut down incumbent GOP Gov. Brian Kemp’s ability to solicit donations through his committee, the court said it would have “made more sense.” The court questioned, “Why aren’t you asking me to shut down Kemp’s leadership committee?”

In February, in response to a challenge from Kemp’s Republican primary opponent David Perdue, Cohen directed Kemp’s group not to spend any money in the Republican primary, according to the AP. Because Perdue isn’t permitted to start a comparable PAC, Cohen believes such spending would give Kemp an unfair edge against the former senator.

Cohen, on the other hand, did not prevent Kemp’s committee from receiving funds. While Perdue’s complaint challenges Kemp’s committee as unlawful, the judgment is only temporary. Kemp has filed an appeal against the decision.

Abrams, like Perdue, believes Georgia lawmakers’ creation of a new type of fundraising committee last year was unlawful. A leadership committee, as the name implies, permits specific individuals and groups to take limitless donations. Regular candidate committees can only raise $7,600 in the primary and general elections, and $4,500 in each runoff election.

The governor and lieutenant governor, as well as both party caucuses in the state House and Senate, can organize the committees if they oppose major party nominations. Unlike most other political action committees, the groups can collaborate with candidate campaigns. Kemp established the Georgians First Leadership Committee after signing the bill, generating $2.3 million through January.