Abrams fires back at Perdue, Kemp over criticism of maskless photo

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams (D) fired back at her likely Republican opponents following criticism over a photo of herself unmasked at a school event. 

“It is shameful that our opponents are using a Black History Month reading event for Georgia children as the impetus for a false political attack, and it is pitiful and predictable that our opponents continue to look for opportunities to distract from their failed records when it comes to protecting the public health during the pandemic,” Abrams said in a statement posted to social media.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who is facing a primary challenge from former Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.), in a tweet on Saturday criticized the photo of Abrams in a Decatur elementary school.

“Stacey Abrams wants state government mask mandates for Georgians and their children. But it looks like they wouldn’t apply when she’s attending a photo op,” the governor said.

Purdue, whom former President Trump has endorsed to replace Kemp, also criticized Abrams in a statement on Sunday.

“Where is Stacey’s mask? We all know Stacey Abrams’ hypocrisy knows no bounds,” Perdue’s statement said.

“Liberals’ thirst for power during this pandemic has caused enormous damage to our kids, while the elite like Stacey continue living their lives. What is even worse is that this is a classroom in Brian Kemp’s Georgia, not New York or California,” he added. 

All of the children and other adults in the photo are masked. 

In her response on Sunday, Abrams also took aim at Perdue and Kemp over their public health track records. 

“One of Stacey’s opponents downplayed the virus while trading stock to profit off the pandemic after his private coronavirus briefings as a Senator,” her statement said in a nod to Perdue’s controversial record of trading stocks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Another of her opponents attacked mayors seeking to protect their citizens and has failed to expand access to Medicaid even as rural hospitals close,” she said of Kemp, who feuded with former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) over the city’s mask mandate. 

“This pathetic, transparent and silly attack is beneath anyone who claims he wants to lead Georgia,” the statement added of the criticism from the GOP candidates. 

A campaign spokesperson for Abrams told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the gubernatorial candidate encourages masking requirements for students, faculty and staff members at schools.