Kemp pushes Abrams to concede in Georgia gubernatorial race

Jay Reeves, Associated Press

Published 12:21 pm PST, Saturday, November 10, 2018

This combination of May 20, 2018, photos shows Georgia gubernatorial candidates Stacey Abrams, left, and Brian Kemp in Atlanta. Democrats and Republicans nationwide will have to wait a bit longer to see if Georgia elects the first black woman governor in American history or doubles down on the Deep South’s GOP tendencies with an acolyte of President Donald Trump less

This combination of May 20, 2018, photos shows Georgia gubernatorial candidates Stacey Abrams, left, and Brian Kemp in Atlanta. Democrats and Republicans nationwide will have to wait a bit longer to see if … more

Photo: John Amis, AP
Allegra Lawrence-Hardy, Stacey Abrams’ campaign chairman, stands with attorneys during a news conference Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Atlanta. Republican Brian Kemp resigned Thursday as Georgia’s secretary of state, a day after his campaign said he’s captured enough votes to become governor despite his rival’s refusal to concede. Abrams’ campaign immediately responded by refusing to accept Kemp’s declaration of victory in the race and demanding that state officials “count every single vote.” (Bob Andres/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) less

Allegra Lawrence-Hardy, Stacey Abrams’ campaign chairman, stands with attorneys during a news conference Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Atlanta. Republican Brian Kemp resigned Thursday as Georgia’s secretary of … more

Photo: Bob Andres, AP
Republican Brian Kemp, right, and Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal hold a news conference in the Governor’s ceremonial office at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Atlanta, Ga. Kemp resigned Thursday as Georgia’s secretary of state, a day after his campaign said he’s captured enough votes to become governor despite his rival’s refusal to concede. (Bob Andres/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) less

Republican Brian Kemp, right, and Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal hold a news conference in the Governor’s ceremonial office at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Atlanta, Ga. Kemp resigned Thursday as … more

Photo: Bob Andres, AP
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Photo: John Amis, AP

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This combination of May 20, 2018, photos shows Georgia gubernatorial candidates Stacey Abrams, left, and Brian Kemp in Atlanta. Democrats and Republicans nationwide will have to wait a bit longer to see if Georgia elects the first black woman governor in American history or doubles down on the Deep South’s GOP tendencies with an acolyte of President Donald Trump less

Photo: John Amis, AP

Kemp pushes Abrams to concede in Georgia gubernatorial race

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ATLANTA (AP) — Republican Brian Kemp is pushing for Democrat Stacey Abrams to concede Georgia’s governor’s race as civil rights groups urge her to keep fighting.

Kemp’s campaign issued a statement Saturday saying it’s mathematically impossible for Abrams to even force a runoff. It calls Abrams’ refusals to concede “a disgrace to democracy.”

But members of civil rights groups including the Atlanta-based Southern Christian Leadership Conference disagree. They held a small rally urging Abrams to keep fighting until every vote is counted.

Unofficial returns show Kemp with 50.3 percent of almost 4 million total votes, a roughly 63,000-vote lead over Abrams.

The Associated Press hasn’t declared a winner. The AP will reassess the race Tuesday, the day counties must certify results to the state.