Stacey Abrams is apparently broke after raising over $100 million for her second failed gubernatorial campaign.
Abrams, a Democrat, reportedly raised nearly $8 million more than Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, but she still lost to the Republican governor in November. Abrams previously lost to Kemp in 2018.
Now staffers are complaining that they have not received paychecks and may not be able to pay their mortgage or rent in January 2023.
One former staffer said, “People have told me they have no idea how they’re going to pay their rent in January. It was more than unfortunate. It was messed up.”
Abrams is pictured with rapper Latto at her “Christmas In Clayco” event at Carl Rhodenizer Recreation Center on December 18, 2022 in Jonesboro, Georgia.
According to Axios.com, Abrams still owes more than one million dollars to vendors, and paychecks to her campaign staffers.
Abrams’ campaign manager, Lauren Groh-Wargo, who was also along for the ride when Abrams lost in 2018, confirmed the reports.
She blamed Abrams’ 2022 loss on a “cavalcade of negative press and negative polling”.
“We did not just lose, we got blown out. It was the most sub-optimal situation to be in. And we will be dealing with that situation for some time,” she told Axios.
"Instead of self-reflection, Stacey Abrams’ campaign manager, Lauren Groh-Wargo fired off a bizarre, 52-tweet thread Wednesday night taking credit for Warnock’s win, and laying the blame for Abrams’ loss on… nearly everyone other than herself and Abrams."https://t.co/dYpDPPvsxo
— Chris Lawrence (@lordsutch) December 9, 2022
The checks didn’t bounce during the campaign, because Groh-Wargo sold off donor and voter contact databases to decrease the debts Abrams owed.
As far as campaign workers going unpaid, they’re on their own.
“We tried to do the best we could to make sure that help would be there for folks,” Groh-Wargo said, referring to health insurance benefits that lasted through November.
“I figured, $100 million? They should be able to pay me until December,” said a former Abrams staffer.
Another campaign staffer said Abrams’ human resources department worked “above and beyond” to help workers find new jobs.
