ATLANTA — Some Georgia voters say they've received a disturbing robocall in the last week ahead of Tuesday's midterm elections that is racist and anti-Semitic.
Channel 2's Rikki Klaus obtained the message, which claims to be from Oprah Winfrey (but obviously is not) and references Stacey Abrams.
“This is the magical negro, Oprah Winfrey, asking you to make my fellow negress, Stacey Abrams, the governor of Georgia," the message says, in part. The caller says a website called theroadtopower.com paid for the message.
Klaus spoke to Channel 2 Political Analyst Bill Crane about who is behind the disturbing message and whether it is legal
“'The Road to Power' is a national white supremacist organization that’s had a blog on with the same name for about six months," Crane said.
Crane said the calls are protected as free speech.
We're looking into whether these kinds of robocalls are legal, for the Channel 2 Action News Nightbeat after the game.
Here is a robo call that's being sent out. Of course this election has nothing to do with race 🙄 Tuesday is now the 1 and ONLY day to VOTE!!!!! Stacey Abrams
Posted by Ivory Watts on Friday, November 2, 2018
Both gubernatorial candidates have denounced the message.
Secretary of State Brian Kemp said, in part: “This automated call is absolutely disgusting. I stand against any person or organization that peddles this type of unbridled hate and unapologetic bigotry.”
A spokeswoman with Abrams’ campaign wrote,
“These automated calls are being sent into homes just days before President Trump arrives, reminding voters exactly which political party is promoting a climate that champions this kind of vile, poisonous thinking.”
Crane said the call is by far the worst he's seen, but he does not believe it will have any significant impact on who gets the job at the Capitol.
Cox Media Group
