In Atlanta, a Georgia state Senate committee continues to widen its unfocused investigation into Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, now aiming its sights on Stacey Abrams. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, alongside other Republicans, plans to delve into allegations that the voter participation organization New Georgia Project inappropriately collaborated with Abrams’ 2018 gubernatorial campaign. Additionally, they want to scrutinize assertions by newly appointed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin that $2 billion was improperly distributed to a coalition of groups working to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Abrams had ties with one of these groups until late last year.
Jones told reporters he believes these matters require investigation, following a proposal introduced in the Senate to permit an expanded inquiry.
In response, Abrams described the actions as politically motivated, alleging that Republicans target her due to their dislike for her. “Georgia Republicans are terrified of peoples’ power, reacting with baseless accusations and investigations that squander taxpayer dollars,” she remarked. Abrams, a key Democratic figure since nearly winning against Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in 2018, has significantly pushed for voting rights, reaching a national audience. Her extensive involvement extends to promoting clean energy as part of Rewiring America, among other pursuits.
Should the resolution pass, the GOP-dominated Senate could initiate meetings to examine another high-profile Democrat, as Jones and several committee members ponder political ambitions in 2026. The Senate Special Committee armed with the power to issue subpoenas, has inched closer to calling upon Willis to determine whether she acted improperly in her scrutinized investigation and subsequent prosecution of former President Donald Trump. Until now, the probe hasn’t distilled new revelations about Willis or her personal ties with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, who leads the Trump case.
Sen. Bill Cowsert, steering the committee from Athens, mentioned plans to subpoena Abrams as well, envisioning the work to commence post the legislature’s April 4 adjournment.
Senate Democratic Minority Leader Harold Jones II from Augusta denounces what he sees as a futile expenditure of Georgia taxpayers’ money in eclipsing distractive activities. Abrams hasn’t declared a possible third gubernatorial campaign for 2026, although the Democratic frontline appears to be evolving, as other party members are already positioning to contest.
The New Georgia Project, founded by Abrams in 2013, aimed at increasing voter registration among nonwhite and young Georgians but has encountered chaos lately with workforce layoffs amid unionization attempts. Francys Johnson, the group’s chairman and a civil rights attorney, expressed intentions to resign amid the turmoil.
The ethical breaches found earlier this year, where New Georgia Project acknowledged failures in registering as an independent campaign entity and in disclosing financial matters related to Abrams’ 2018 race, have led to the largest state-imposed ethical fine amounting to $300,000.
In an unrelated development, Powers Forward Communities, an initiative Zeldin accused of misusing funds allocated during the Biden administration, plans to use the $20 billion grant, aimed to boost energy efficiency within low-income homes by simultaneously compensating appliance manufacturers and contractors.
Though Abrams contributed as senior counsel at Rewiring America, a group within the coalition, her spokesman clarified she wasn’t compensated directly by Power Forward Communities. Nonetheless, Zeldin has publicly labeled the coalition as “Stacey Abrams’ Power Forward Communities” and has pressured Citibank to relinquish funds associated with these grants.
