Abrams says women will play ‘pivotal’ role in Georgia governor’s race

Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams believes women will play a crucial role in who wins the contentious race for the governor between her and Republican Brian Kemp.

Abrams, a former minority leader of the Georgia state House of Representatives, argues that women are more likely to go out and vote because they personally understand the kinds of key issues that are at stake, especially when it comes to health care and education.

“Women are going to be a pivotal part with the way we win this election, especially women who have understood why Medicaid expansion is so critical to providing access to health care,” Abrams told “Rising” Hill.TV correspondent Jamal Simmons.

“Women are the ones who understand, most specifically, the importance of education, often because they’re both the teachers and the parents,” she added.

Abraham also emphasized the importance of creating better-paying jobs, especially for women who face a pay gap.

Even though the wage gap isn’t as wide in Georgia as in other parts of the country, women in the state still earn about 18 percent less than men for equal work.

Nationally, women in the U.S. are paid 80 cents for every dollar paid to men, according to a study by the National Partnership for Women and Families that was released in September.

This nationwide wage disparity is even greater among minorities, including Latina and African-American women. The nonpartisan nonprofit found that black women are typically paid 61 cents, Native American women 58 cents and Latinas just 53 cents for every dollar paid to white men.

The Georgia governor’s race is drawing national attention as Abrams and Kemp remain locked in a virtual dead heat.

Kemp, Georgia’s secretary of state, is ahead of Abrams, 49 percent to 47 percent, according to a new poll from NBC News–Marist poll. Abrams leads among female minorities, while Kemp leads among white voters.

If Abrams wins, she will be the first black female governor to serve in the U.S.

“As the first potential black woman to be governor in the history of the United States, I am honored to be here, but I know that my job is to win this election, so I can open those doors so that that I’m the first but I’m not the last.”

— Tess Bonn