Former Democratic Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams reportedly discouraged Major League Baseball (MLB) from pulling the All-Star Game out of Georgia after the state passed a new election bill.
According to Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Greg Bluestein, Abrams spoke to a senior adviser for the MLB and “strongly” encouraged the league to keep the game in Georgia before it decided to move the event.
Per second source w/ @MLB: @StaceyAbrams didn’t talk to Commissioner @RobManfred, but she did talk to a senior league official before the announcement was made. In that conversation, she reiterated her position opposing boycotts, as she had said publicly the day before. #gapol
— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) April 7, 2021
The league announced the decision last week. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement, “Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box.”
Abrams released a statement expressing her disappointment in the league’s decision but commended it for speaking out against the bill.
“Like many Georgians, I am disappointed that the MLB is relocating the All-Star game; however, I commend the players, owners and the League commissioner for speaking out,” Abrams said.
She continued, “As I have stated, I respect boycotts, although I don’t want to see Georgia families hurt by lost events and jobs. Georgians targeted by voter suppression will be hurt as opportunities go to other states.”
My full statement on @MLB All-Star Game: #gapol pic.twitter.com/mq4DauVQ8B
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) April 2, 2021
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) suggested during an interview with Fox News earlier this week the “the only thing that will teach” the MLB a “lesson” is boycotting it, as IJR reported.
“Major League Baseball wants to boycott the whole state of Georgia, including Atlanta. They’ve already got rid of the All-Star Game and the draft. They’re doing it because they don’t like a Republican law, a law that expands voting, doesn’t contract voting,” Paul said.
He continued, “Georgia now has more early voting than New York. It’s kind of ridiculous. Even the facts don’t meet what they’re trying to do. My point is if they want to boycott us, why don’t we boycott them. This is the only thing that will teach them a lesson.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) also denied an invitation to throw the first pitch at the Texas Rangers’ home opening game to protest the league’s decision.