2018 Georgia Governor Voters Guide
Stacey Abrams (D) vs Brian Kemp (R)
The Candidates
Legal. Led efforts to weaken 20-week abortion ban & to block TARP (Targeted Restrictions on Abortion Providers). “Staunch defender of reproduction choices.”
Ban. Supports “Heartbeat Bill” outlawing abortions after 6 weeks. As governor, will “sign the toughest abortion laws in the country.”
Yes. “It is vitally important that we do everything we can to help fight climate change.” Renewable energy is central to her economic development plan.
No stand found.
No specific stand, but opposes Judge Kavanaugh for potentially jeopardizing “access to birth control.”
Yes. As governor, will sign a “religious freedom” bill that would allow withholding of contraceptive coverage.
No. “Georgians should be deeply troubled by [his] track record.”
Yes. Applauds Trump’s choice. Kavanagh “will serve our country well.”
No. They are “a terrible idea” & have triggered major concerns in many sectors of the Georgia economy.
Yes. Make necessary investments to reduce long-term costs & increase long-term return on investment.
No. Opposes vouchers for private schools & unchecked expansion of charter schools.
Yes. Supports vouchers to attend private schools & expanding charter schools.
No stand found.
Yes. Supports requiring universal background checks; banning assault weapons; establishing protective risk orders plus laws for domestic violence situations, & repealing campus carry.
No. Opposes new gun control restrictions, supports campus carry, arming K-12 teachers, & “constitutional carry” without permit or application. In humorous ad, pointed a shotgun at teenage boy sitting next to him, saying dating his daughters required appreciating the Second Amendment.
Supports ACA. Led efforts to expand Medicaid, which is “transformative for our state.”
Repeal ACA. “[It] is an absolute disaster & needs to be repealed immediately.” Opposes Medicaid expansion.
No.
Yes.
Yes. Advocates a clean DREAM Act legislation with path to citizenship.
No. End DACA, which “provides amnesty for illegal immigrants—many of whom are adults, not children, & includes those with criminal records.”
No stand found.
No. In ad, said he wants to round up “criminal illegals” in his pickup & take them home himself. Will crack down on illegal immigration.
Supports medical use and decriminalization of small amounts for recreational use as “a critical step to criminal justice reform.”
“Unequivocally” opposes recreational use. Supports limited medical use.
Strong opponent, consistently questions policies & actions.
Endorsed by Trump in primary. Vocal supporter who shares many of the same policy goals. Vows to “unapologetically stand with” Trump.
Yes. Co-sponsored multiple bills providing financial incentives for solar, biomass, & wind. Advanced Energy Jobs Plan centers on creating a Green Bank to spur investment in renewables.
No stand found.
No. Detailed voting rights platform includes nonpartisan redistricting commission; online, automatic, & same-day registration; & early voting.
Yes. Stricter voter ID laws prevent fraud & “threat of illegal voters casting ballots.” Has been named in 3 lawsuits over election policies opponents claim “disproportionately harm Georgia’s growing number of minority voters.”
Other candidates for governor include Ted Metz (Libertarian) & Larry Odom (Independent). Due to limited space, we can include only responses of candidates who poll over 15%, but encourage you to check out their websites.
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