50 States, 0 Black Governors. Stacey Abrams Could Change That.

Currently, there are zero black governors in the United States. In fact, throughout history, there have only been four black governors: Pinckney Pinchback of Louisiana, Douglas Wilder of Virginia, Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, and David Paterson of New York. But 2018 presents a chance for not only a black governor but a black female governor for the first time in history. 

Stacey Abrams, the former minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives, has just secured the Democratic nomination and is set to be her party’s nominee for the state’s gubernatorial race in the Fall. Her win would mean she will become the first female governor of Georgia and the first black woman governor in the history of America. 

Abrams is part of a wave of progressive candidates on the rise since the 2016 elections, but she managed to earn the support of both Hilary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.  She was also endorsed by heavy weight progressive organizations, including Democracy for America, MoveOn, and EMILY’s List. 

You did it.#TeamAbrams just won our primary election, and this victory belongs to you.https://t.co/0FZeKR2Ea8 #GAGov #gapol pic.twitter.com/NbHvXwWAhk

— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) May 23, 2018

“We are writing the next chapter of Georgia’s future where no one is unseen, no one is unheard and no one is uninspired,” Abrams said during her speech at the post-election party. “We are writing a history of a Georgia where we prosper together.” 

Although there is much excitement around her nomination, she still faces an uphill battle as she is running as a Democrat in a deeply red state.