Georgia 2018: Cleland endorses Evans in gov race

Former State Representative Stacey Evans addresses the public during a transportation policy forum at the Georgia Freight Depot in Atlanta, Georgia on Wednesday, January 24, 2018. The forum served as a chance for governor and lieutenant governor candidates to voice their plans for transportation policies if elected. (REANN HUBER/REANN.HUBER@AJC.COM)

Credit: REANN HUBER

Credit: REANN HUBER

Former State Representative Stacey Evans addresses the public during a transportation policy forum at the Georgia Freight Depot in Atlanta, Georgia on Wednesday, January 24, 2018. The forum served as a chance for governor and lieutenant governor candidates to voice their plans for transportation policies if elected. (REANN HUBER/REANN.HUBER@AJC.COM)

Democrat Stacey Evans picked up the endorsement Friday of former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland, who pledged his “undying support” for her campaign for Georgia governor.

“Stacey Evans is a survivor. Her life story of growing up in poverty and yet turning her life into a story of hope by graduating from the University of Georgia on the HOPE Scholarship, and then going on to law school has inspired me,” he said. “It is inspiring all Georgians who know her story and meet Stacey Evans.”

Evans, a former state legislator, faces ex-Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams in a May primary for the party’s nomination. The two have raced to divvy up endorsements in the race.

Evans also has the support of former Gov. Roy Barnes and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. Abrams influential backers include Reps. Hank Johnson, John Lewis and David Scott as well as Emily’s List women’s advocacy group and the Georgia chapter of the AFL-CIO labor union.