ATLANTA — Some heavy hitters headed to the Peach State on Thursday as the race for Georgia’s governor remains razor-thin.
Media mogul and former daytime TV host Oprah Winfrey held two rallies in the Atlanta metro for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
[READ: 'We’re just getting started.' VP Mike Pence stumps across state for Brian Kemp]
Winfrey started her talk by telling the crowd that no one paid her to be here, or even asked her to come to Georgia, and that she paid her own way to be here for Abrams because she believes in her values.
Oprah campaigns for Stacey AbramsOprah Winfrey is in Georgia campaigning for Democratic candidate for governor Stacey Abrams: 2wsb.tv/2P3yxzR
Posted by WSB-TV on Thursday, November 1, 2018
“I'm here today because Stacey Abrams cares about the things that matter,” Winfrey told the audience.
Channel 2's Lori Wilson was one of many who packed the Cobb County Civic Center on Thursday to see Winfrey talk with Abrams.
Winfrey said she called Abrams up three days ago and offered her support, because she believes Abrams cares about what's important to Georgians.
[READ: NEW POLL: Race for Ga. governor as close as ever]
“She cares about Medicaid expansion. She cares about keeping families together. She cares about environmental protection for our children,” Winfrey said.
The talk show queen energizing the crowd by turning the stage of the civic center into a talk show set to speak with Abrams.
She asked the Democrat, and daughter of two preachers, about the divisive nature of politics and the governor's race.
Abrams did not mention her opponent by name and said she knew she would not get the support of all Georgians, but she would be a leader that unified the state.
[READ: 1.5 million+ people have voted in GA with less than a week until Election Day]
“Divisiveness is not always about race, gender or sexual orientation. Sometimes it's about the haves and the have nots and the way you actually knit people together is by showing that you care by showing up,” Abrams said.
Wilson spoke with rallygoers outside the Civic Center after the rally.
“Oprah is going to remind everybody today that we all get a vote. You get a vote, and you get a vote, and you get a vote,” one woman said.
[READ: Trump, Obama coming to Georgia to campaign for candidates in governor's race]
Winfrey reminded everyone that all are equal at the polls and every vote matters.
“This is a tight race here in Georgia” Winfrey said.
Winfrey and Abrams hosted another town hall in DeKalb County on Thursday evening.
Winfrey said she knocked on doors earlier with her clipboard. Whether or not the “O Factor” will translate into votes will have to wait be seen until next week.
Cox Media Group
