Candidates Abrams, Kemp respond to stories making rounds on social media

ATLANTA — Both leading candidates in the Georgia’s governor race are dealing with stories that are spreading on social media.

Channel 2's Dave Huddleston reached out to the two campaigns to give them an opportunity to explain their sides.

A New York Times story was published this week about a 1992 event involving Democrat Stacey Abrams. College students were protesting and burning Georgia's flag, because it included the Confederate emblem.

The paper cited a June 1992 Atlanta Journal-Constitution article that pictures Abrams at the protest.

Abrams’ campaign headquarters confirmed she was present at the protest and sent Huddleston this statement:

“During Stacey Abrams’ college years, Georgia was at a crossroads, struggling with how to overcome racially divisive issues, including symbols of the confederacy, the sharpest of which was the inclusion of the confederate emblem in the Georgia state flag. Stacey was involved with a permitted, peaceful protest against the confederate emblem in the flag. This conversation was sweeping across Georgia as numerous organizations, prominent leaders, and students engaged in the ultimately successful effort to change the flag.  Abrams’ time in public service as Deputy City Attorney and as a state legislative leader have all been focused on bringing people together to solve problems. Over the last 18 months as Stacey Abrams has traveled the state, Georgians have shared with her their top concerns: expanding Medicaid, investing in our kids and public education, and creating good-paying jobs in all 159 counties.”

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Rolling Stone published an article about Republican candidate Brian Kemp after the magazine obtained audio from a recent Buckhead fundraiser. 

Kemp, the current Secretary of State, told the crowd he was concerned about Abrams ‘Get Out the Vote’ campaign and the focus on absentee ballots

“Especially if everybody uses and exercises their right to vote — which they absolutely can — and mail those ballots in, we gotta have heavy turnout to offset that.”

Huddleston reached out to Kemp’s team for a response and sent Channel 2 Action News this statement:

"San Francisco socialists and liberal billionaires from New York are spending millions to  buy the governor's race and advance their extreme agenda in Georgia. They want government run healthcare, voting rights for illegal immigrants, and $13,000 in new taxes that will bankrupt Georgia families. 

"Our campaign, which is funded by hardworking Georgians, is working around the clock to stop them. As governor, Brian Kemp will lower taxes and insurance premiums, invest in public education, spur job creation, and protect our kids from violence. He will carry on the legacy of Governors Perdue and Deal to ensure that our best days are ahead." 

Cox Media Group