Democrat Stacey Abrams launched an initiative Wednesday aimed at emphasizing her campaign for governor's organizational efforts to energize women voters.
The former House minority leader’s campaign said 1,055 women have so far signed up to take part in the 1,000 Women Strong initiative, which requires participants to pledge to make a low-dollar contribution, knock on doors and make phone calls to rev up support for her gubernatorial bid.
Abrams is in a heated primary against former state Rep. Stacey Evans for the party's nomination, and the two have embraced different strategies - and have begun to highlight rifts in policy - in hopes of being elected the state's first Democratic governor since Roy Barnes' 2002 defeat.
The winner will likely face one of five top Republicans in November in the race to succeed Gov. Nathan Deal, who cannot run for a third term.
Abrams has emphasized her plan to build an extensive mobilization effort to energize voters, many of them minorities, who rarely cast ballots in midterm elections. Her campaign said the initiative dovetails with her ground-game strategy.
"In order to create a brighter Georgia, we must invest in and engage voters who have been left out and left behind, and we must talk with them about how their votes can change our state,” said Abrams in a statement. “1,000 Women Strong continues our mission to build a campaign - and a state - powered by all of us."
More recent AJC coverage of the governor's race:
Plant Vogtle’s fate could shake up next year’s race for Georgia governor
Georgia police pay hikes spark salary fight
Georgia Democrats see hope in Jones’ Senate win in Alabama
A divide over the two Staceys has Georgia Democrats worried
A list of elected leaders joining Abrams' initiative
Senator Tonya Anderson (D-Lithonia)
Senator Gail Davenport (D-Jonesboro)
Senator Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta)
Representative Kimberly Alexander (D-Hiram)
Representative Debra Bazemore (D-Riverdale)
Representative Sharon Beasley-Teague (D-Red Oak)
Representative Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain)
Representative Rhonda Burrnough (D-Riverdale)
Representative Park Cannon (D-Atlanta)
Representative Pam Dickerson (D-Conyers)
Representative Gloria Frazier (D- Hephzibah)
Representative Carolyn Hugley (D-Columbus)
Representative Brenda Lopez (D-Norcross)
Representative Miriam Paris (D-Macon)
Representative Pam Stephenson (D-Decatur)
