ATLANTA — A federal judge ruled Thursday that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams can’t use a state law created to give Gov. Brian Kemp a major fundraising advantage in their possible rematch this year.
Judge Mark Cohen telegraphed his written decision during a Monday hearing in the case when he said Abrams won’t be the Democratic nominee for governor until her uncontested May 24 primary. Being the party’s nominee is a requirement for using the leadership committee law approved last year by the Republican-controlled General Assembly.
“Granting plaintiffs’ requested relief ... would require this court to effectively rewrite the statute to recognize Abrams as the Democratic Party nominee before she has been selected in a primary,” Cohen wrote.
