US Rep. John Lewis Backs Stacey Abrams In Ga. Governor’s Race

State Rep. Stacey Abrams, an attorney from Atlanta, is trying to become the nation’s first female African-American governor.

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Georgia Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis on Monday threw his support behind the woman seeking to become the nation’s first female African-American governor, calling her bid an opportunity to make the state “a model for our nation.”

Lewis called state Rep. Stacey Abrams, who until recently led Georgia House Democrats, “the only leader” bidding to replace Republican Gov. Nathan Deal with “the experience and an ambitious vision to uplift all families.”

“Georgia must seize the opportunity to be a model for our nation by electing this transformative leader, who strives to empower the people she will serve,” Lewis said in a statement.