Democratic Georgia Gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams received backlash after making a claim about law enforcement.
Abrams made the remarks during the Georgia gubernatorial debate on Sunday.
“I don’t have 107 sheriffs who want to be able to take Black people off the streets, who want to be able to go without accountability,” Abrams said.
She added, “I don’t believe every sheriff wants that, but I do know that we need a governor who believes in both defending law enforcement but also defending the people of Georgia.”
Watch the moment below:
Disgusting… “defund the police” Stacey Abrams think very little of law enforcement in GA@BrianKempGA proudly touts the support of 107 GA sheriffs & Abrams claims it’s because of race
— Jesse Hunt (@JJHunt10) October 30, 2022
“So no I don’t have 107 sheriffs who want to be able to take black people of the streets.” pic.twitter.com/1ZpTIeNqsa
Several Twitter users blasted Abrams for her claim.
Oner user argued every chance Abrams gets, she “doubles down on her anti-police rhetoric that has cost violence and increased crimes magnified in the communities she claims to represent.”
Every chance she gets, she doubles down on her anti-police rhetoric that has cost violence and increased crimes magnified in the communities she claims to represent. https://t.co/RgtNt4axdn
— Rob O'Donnell (@odonnell_r) October 31, 2022
Another user wondered “what Georgia’s sheriffs thought about this smear.”
I wonder what Georgia's sheriffs thought about this smear. https://t.co/ueoDMgwWgq
— Benita Cotton-Orr (@Benitadodd) October 31, 2022
Read more tweets below:
Stacey Abrams is evil. She should never be in any government office https://t.co/8FihWWhFiG
— Ann Adams House (@AbeemanAnn) October 31, 2022
Disgusting and disqualifying https://t.co/Nyx8mHeXVJ
— Brandon Gill (@realBrandonGill) October 31, 2022
Stacey Abrams is a racist https://t.co/muLk749t1m
— FreddieGarcia (@Freddie86350037) October 31, 2022
To @staceyabrams, it's always, always about the color of your skin. Always. https://t.co/Chh5eKjnPe
— Kevin Sandlin 🇺🇸 (@kevsandlin) October 31, 2022
I can’t believe she is doing as well as she is with all of the lies and hateful rhetoric that comes out of her mouth. https://t.co/79IXRqiqp9
— Traci Parker (@traciparker01) October 31, 2022
https://twitter.com/wcantrell/status/1586889958287097856
Always got to be about racism with Stacy Abrams https://t.co/lqdjuPbTPl
— Hale❤️♡💙🇺🇸 (@Hale46036H) October 31, 2022
https://twitter.com/jonathancasasga/status/1586895948034318337
Oh my god https://t.co/ZGVNMAofbf
— Cody R. Olson (@codyrolson) October 31, 2022
Politico noted during the debate Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) attempted to convince viewers Abrams is in favor of defunding the police.
“I believe in public safety. I did not say and nor do I believe in defunding police,” Abrams said.
She continued, “He is lying again. And I’ve never said that I believe in defunding the police. I believe in public safety and accountability. And I would have you look at my record, 11 years in the state legislature.”
The Survey of Black Voters, conducted by TheGrio and KFF, was published on Wednesday and asked 1,000 black adults who say they are registered voters about their thoughts on law enforcement.
Only 17% back the idea of defunding the police.
Close to 50% said they would support keeping police funding about the same, compared to 34% who would like to see an increase in financial support.
According to Politico, more than 1.6 million residents of Georgia have already cast their ballots during the period of early voting.