Kemp Denounces White Nationalist’s ‘Vile’ Robocalls Targeting Abrams

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 22:  Georgia Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams takes the stage to declare victory in the primary during an election night event on May 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia.  If elected, Abrams would become the first African American female governor in the nation.  (Photo by Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 22: Georgia Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams takes the stage to declare victory in the primary during an election night event on May 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. If elected, Abram... ATLANTA, GA - MAY 22: Georgia Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams takes the stage to declare victory in the primary during an election night event on May 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. If elected, Abrams would become the first African American female governor in the nation. (Photo by Jessica McGowan/Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Both Stacey Abrams and Brian Kemp are speaking out against “vile” robocalls from an Idaho white nationalist targeting the Democratic nominee for Georgia governor.

The recording from Scott Rhodes, host of white nationalist podcast Road to Power, called Abrams a “poor man’s Aunt Jemima.” Oprah, who campaigned with Abrams in Marietta this week, was derided as a “magical negro.”

Kemp called the robocalls “absolutely disgusting,” condemning “any person or organization that peddles this type of unbridled hate and unapologetic bigotry.”

The Abrams campaign called the ads “poisonous,” but said they weren’t buying Kemp’s response.

Director of strategic communication Abigail Collazo said it was “pathetic” that Kemp “has only now suddenly decided to find a conscience as polls are tightening and Georgia voters are making it clear that they reject the kind of hate he and his allies have been spewing around the state.”

“These automated calls are being sent into homes just days before President Trump arrives, reminding voters exactly who is promoting a political climate that celebrates this kind of vile, poisonous thinking,” Collazo said.

Trump arrives in Georgia Sunday to campaign with the GOP nominee in the hotly contested race.

Rhodes has targeted other Democratic candidates across the country, calling Sen. Dianne Feinstein a “traitorous Jew” and doing a racist minstrel imitation of Florida gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum.

Latest DC
Comments
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: