In a blow to Stacey Abrams and her allies, the New Georgia Project and its affiliated action fund were slapped with a $300,000 fine for breaking Georgia’s campaign finance laws.
This is the largest fine ever issued by the state ethics commission in its 38-year history. The decision, announced on Wednesday, is the result of a six-year investigation into illegal campaign activities during Abrams’ 2018 run for governor.
The Violations
The New Georgia Project, a nonprofit Abrams founded in 2013, was created to register voters from underrepresented groups. However, the group found itself in hot water for failing to follow the rules.
During the 2018 election cycle, it raised $4.2 million and spent $3.2 million in support of Abrams and other Democratic candidates. But they didn’t disclose this spending as required by law.
The ethics commission also found that in 2019, the group committed similar violations, failing to report $646,000 in contributions and $174,000 in spending to push for a local referendum in Gwinnett County.
The referendum, which aimed to expand the Atlanta transit system, was ultimately rejected by voters.
David Emadi, the ethics commission’s Republican director, said, “The facts are clear. These groups broke the law, and this fine sends a strong message that campaign finance laws will be enforced.”
Who’s Responsible?
Abrams formally left her leadership role at the New Georgia Project in 2017, but critics argue her influence lingered.
Senator Raphael Warnock, who led the group until 2020, also denied involvement in any wrongdoing. A spokesperson for Warnock stated, “Compliance decisions were not a part of his work.”
The $300,000 fine will be paid in two installments, but it doesn’t directly target Abrams or Warnock. Instead, it focuses on the organizations they helped build.
The commission’s findings raise broader questions about nonprofits engaging in political campaigns. Federal law allows charities to register voters but forbids them from endorsing candidates.
The New Georgia Project blurred that line, say critics, by failing to operate transparently.
A Pattern of Behavior?
This isn’t the first time groups tied to Abrams have faced penalties.
In 2020, another pro-Abrams group, Gente for Abrams, was fined $50,000 for failing to disclose $240,000 in campaign spending. That group eventually registered and revealed it had spent an additional $685,000 to support Abrams.
Critics claim this pattern shows a disregard for election laws.
“It’s not about voter rights or outreach,” said one observer. “It’s about playing political games without accountability.”
What Critics and Supporters Are Saying
Supporters of Abrams argue the ethics commission is politically motivated. With four Republicans and one Democrat on the panel, they say the investigation was a “witch hunt” designed to tarnish Abrams’ reputation.
David Fox, the New Georgia Project’s lawyer, called the settlement “a reasonable resolution of this longstanding dispute.”
On the other hand, Republicans and advocates of limited government see the fine as overdue justice.
“This isn’t about partisanship,” said Emadi. “It’s about upholding the law.”
For many, this case highlights the importance of transparency in elections. If groups want to influence politics, they must follow the same rules as everyone else.
What’s Next?
Despite these setbacks, Abrams has hinted she may run for governor again in 2026.
“All options are on the table,” she said last year. Whether or not she pursues another campaign, this record fine is a reminder of the consequences of cutting corners.
As Georgia voters prepare for future elections, the message is clear: rules matter. No group—no matter how powerful or popular—is above the law.
