Black men, a key voting bloc, leave Georgia governor's race an open question

Georgia Democratic candidate for governor Stacey Abrams speaks at a campaign event on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, in Atlanta, flanked by radio and TV personality Charlamagne tha God, left, rapper 21 Savage and civil rights lawyer Francys Johnson, right. The event is one of a series that Abrams has done to appeal to Black men in her race against Republican incumbent Brian Kemp. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)

As the rematch between Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and his Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams winds to a close, Black men are fixed as one of the race’s central focal points; some reports have suggested that their tepid enthusiasm for Abrams could hamstring her second bid.

According to internal polling released by her campaign and obtained by the New York Times this fall, Abrams’ support among Black men lagged 2018 figures by about eight points.

The latest NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll also suggests lukewarm enthusiasm among Black voters generally ahead of the midterm elections.