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Republican Gov. Brian Kemp reports raising $7 million in the same period

Stacey Abrams' fundraising continues to accelerate, swamping Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and pushing close to $50 million raised in the seven months since the Georgia Democrat announced her campaign in December.

Abrams announced Friday that her direct campaign and its associated One Georgia committee raised $21.8 million during the two months ended June 30 and together had $18.5 million in cash on hand.

That's far more than the combined $6.8 million Kemp raised for his direct campaign and associated Georgians First committee. Kemp said he had $6.4 million in cash as of June 30.

Abrams also said that One Georgia, a special state fundraising vehicle allowing her to collect unlimited contributions and coordinate spending with her campaign, raised $6.3 million before May.

The leadership committee had not reported numbers at an earlier deadline because of legal disputes. Abrams started collecting contributions for One Georgia before the May 24 primary, in which she was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

However, state ethics officials ruled that she could not use the leadership committee vehicle until she was officially certified as the Democratic nominee after the primary, even though state party officials argued she was already the party standard-bearer as the only Democrat who filed to run.

Abrams spokesperson Jaylen Black said Friday that the campaign understands from state ethics officials that it is free to spend all of the leadership committee money that it raised before she became the official nominee.

Both Kemp and Abrams are spending heavily. Abrams has already spent more than $30 million with the general election campaign just begun. Kemp has already spent more than $17 million as he dismantled former U.S. Sen. David Perdue and others in the Republican primary.

The 2022 races in closely divided Georgia are likely to blow past old records, with a torrent of political spending expected from candidates, political parties and outside groups in the gubernatorial contest and the U.S. Senate race between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker.

Kemp has raised more than $31 million, topping the $22.4 million he raised in his win over Abrams in 2018. But Abrams has raised $49 million in a much shorter period, with far more cash on hand. It's a flip from the decades when Georgia Democrats scratched for resources while Republicans generally enjoyed strong fundraising thanks in part to business contributions.

Abrams campaign manager Lauren Groh Wargo said more than 240,000 donors have given $100 or less to Abrams. She argued that Abrams must strongly outspend Kemp to overcome the advantages he gets from being a sitting governor, including the ability to command news coverage and hand out federal COVID-19 relief money.

"While we are gratified by the strong fundraising we have secured to date, we understand that our campaign must continue to dramatically outraise and outspend the incumbent in order to create a level playing field," Wargo wrote Friday in a publicly distributed memo.

She said Abrams would spend the money "on deep, continuous and thoughtful engagement with the most diverse electorate in the state's history," in keeping with Abrams' voter mobilization approach.

Kemp spokesperson Tate Mitchell said Kemp will run on his record while acknowledging that "Abrams and her liberal allies can — and will — continue to outraise and outspend our campaign."

"Far-left radicals from across the country are bankrolling Stacey Abrams' campaign to bring the failed agenda of D.C. Democrats to Georgia," Mitchell said in a statement.

Georgia candidates have a grace period ending Friday to file after the June 30 deadline. Neither Abrams nor Kemp had filed their actual reports with state ethics officials as of Friday afternoon. Libertarian Shane Hazel hadn't filed yet and independent Al Bartell said he raised $50 during the period.

Both Perdue and Abrams sued over Georgia's leadership committee rules, saying it was unfair that Kemp could take in large amounts while Perdue and Abrams were barred unless they won their party primaries.

After an earlier ruling that Kemp could not spend money from the committee for his campaign against Perdue, U.S. District Judge Mark Cohen ruled that Georgians First Leadership Committee could not solicit or receive contributions until after the primary election made Kemp the Republican nominee for governor.

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Stacey Abrams raises $22M in 2 months, far outpacing Ga. Gov. Brian Kemp￼

Stacey Abrams' fundraising continues to accelerate, swamping Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and pushing close to $50 million raised in the seven months since the Georgia Democrat announced her campaign in December.

Abrams announced Friday that her direct campaign and its associated One Georgia committee raised $22 million during the two months ended June 30 and together had $18.5 million in cash on hand.

That's far more than the combined $6.8 million Kemp raised for his direct campaign and associated Georgians First committee. Kemp said he had $6.4 million in cash as of June 30.

Abrams also said that One Georgia, a special state fundraising vehicle allowing her to collect unlimited contributions and coordinate spending with her campaign, raised $6.3 million before May.

The leadership committee had not reported numbers at an earlier deadline because of legal disputes. Abrams started collecting contributions for One Georgia before the May 24 primary, in which she was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. However, state ethics officials ruled that she could not use the leadership committee vehicle until she was officially certified as the Democratic nominee after the primary, even though state party officials argued she was already the party standard-bearer as the only Democrat who filed to run.

Abrams spokesperson Jaylen Black said Friday that the campaign understands from state ethics officials that it is free to spend all of the leadership committee money that it raised before she became the official nominee.

Kemp and Abrams are spending heavily. Abrams has already spent more than $30 million with the general election campaign just begun. Kemp has already spent more than $17 million as he dismantled former U.S. Sen. David Perdue and others in the Republican primary.

The 2022 races in closely divided Georgia are likely to blow past old records, with a torrent of political spending expected from candidates, political parties and outside groups in the gubernatorial contest and the U.S. Senate race between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker.

Kemp has raised more than $31 million, topping the $22.4 million he raised in his win over Abrams in 2018. But Abrams has raised $49 million in a much shorter period, with far more cash on hand. It's a flip from the decades when Georgia Democrats scratched for resources while Republicans generally enjoyed strong fundraising thanks in part to business contributions.

Abrams campaign manager Lauren Groh Wargo said more than 240,000 donors have given $100 or less to Abrams. She argued that Abrams must strongly outspend Kemp to overcome the advantages he gets from being a sitting governor, including the ability to command news coverage and hand out federal COVID-19 relief money.

"While we are gratified by the strong fundraising we have secured to date, we understand that our campaign must continue to dramatically outraise and outspend the incumbent in order to create a level playing field," Wargo wrote Friday in a publicly distributed memo.

She said Abrams would spend the money "on deep, continuous and thoughtful engagement with the most diverse electorate in the state's history," in keeping with Abrams' voter mobilization approach.

Kemp spokesperson Tate Mitchell said Kemp will run on his record while acknowledging that "Abrams and her liberal allies can — and will — continue to outraise and outspend our campaign."

"Far-left radicals from across the country are bankrolling Stacey Abrams' campaign to bring the failed agenda of D.C. Democrats to Georgia," Mitchell said in a statement.

Georgia candidates have a grace period ending Friday to file after the June 30 deadline. Neither Abrams nor Kemp had filed their actual reports with state ethics officials as of Friday morning. Libertarian Shane Hazel said he raised $5,595 and independent Al Bartell hadn't filed yet.

Both Perdue and Abrams sued over Georgia's leadership committee rules, saying it was unfair that Kemp could take in large amounts while Perdue and Abrams were barred unless they won their party primaries.

After an earlier ruling that Kemp could not spend money from the committee for his campaign against Perdue, U.S. District Judge Mark Cohen ruled that Georgians First Leadership Committee could not solicit or receive contributions until after the primary election made Kemp the Republican nominee for governor.

Georgia's Abrams Raises $22M in 2 Months, Far Outpacing Kemp

Abrams started collecting contributions for One Georgia before the May 24 primary, in which she was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

ATLANTA — Stacey Abrams' fundraising continues to accelerate, swamping Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and pushing close to $50 million raised in the seven months since the Georgia Democrat announced her campaign in December.

Abrams announced Friday that her direct campaign and its associated One Georgia committee raised $22 million during the two months ended June 30 and together had $18.5 million in cash on hand.

That's far more than the combined $6.8 million Kemp raised for his direct campaign and associated Georgians First committee. Kemp said he had $6.4 million in cash as of June 30.

Abrams also said that One Georgia, a special state fundraising vehicle allowing her to collect unlimited contributions and coordinate spending with her campaign, raised $6.3 million before May.

The leadership committee had not reported numbers at an earlier deadline because of legal disputes. Abrams started collecting contributions for One Georgia before the May 24 primary, in which she was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. However, state ethics officials ruled that she could not use the leadership committee vehicle until she was officially certified as the Democratic nominee after the primary, even though state party officials argued she was already the party standard-bearer as the only Democrat who filed to run.

Abrams spokesperson Jaylen Black said Friday that the campaign understands from state ethics officials that it is free to spend all of the leadership committee money that it raised before she became the official nominee.

Both Kemp and Abrams are spending heavily. Abrams has already spent more than $30 million with the general election campaign just begun. Kemp has already spent more than $17 million as he dismantled former U.S. Sen. David Perdue and others in the Republican primary.

The 2022 races in closely divided Georgia are likely to blow past old records, with a torrent of political spending expected from candidates, political parties and outside groups in the gubernatorial contest and the U.S. Senate race between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker.

Kemp has raised more than $31 million, topping the $22.4 million he raised in his win over Abrams in 2018. But Abrams has raised $49 million in a much shorter period, with far more cash on hand. It's a flip from the decades when Georgia Democrats scratched for resources while Republicans generally enjoyed strong fundraising thanks in part to business contributions.

Abrams campaign manager Lauren Groh Wargo said more than 240,000 donors have given $100 or less to Abrams. She argued that Abrams must strongly outspend Kemp to overcome the advantages he gets from being a sitting governor, including the ability to command news coverage and hand out federal COVID-19 relief money.

"While we are gratified by the strong fundraising we have secured to date, we understand that our campaign must continue to dramatically outraise and outspend the incumbent in order to create a level playing field," Wargo wrote Friday in a publicly distributed memo.

She said Abrams would spend the money "on deep, continuous and thoughtful engagement with the most diverse electorate in the state's history," in keeping with Abrams' voter mobilization approach.

Kemp spokesperson Tate Mitchell said Kemp will run on his record while acknowledging that "Abrams and her liberal allies can — and will — continue to outraise and outspend our campaign."

"Far-left radicals from across the country are bankrolling Stacey Abrams' campaign to bring the failed agenda of D.C. Democrats to Georgia," Mitchell said in a statement.

Georgia candidates have a grace period ending Friday to file after the June 30 deadline. Neither Abrams nor Kemp had filed their actual reports with state ethics officials as of Friday morning. Libertarian Shane Hazel said he raised $5,595 and independent Al Bartell hadn't filed yet.

Both Perdue and Abrams sued over Georgia's leadership committee rules, saying it was unfair that Kemp could take in large amounts while Perdue and Abrams were barred unless they won their party primaries.

After an earlier ruling that Kemp could not spend money from the committee for his campaign against Perdue, U.S. District Judge Mark Cohen ruled that Georgians First Leadership Committee could not solicit or receive contributions until after the primary election made Kemp the Republican nominee for governor.

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Georgia's Abrams raises $22M in 2 months, far outpacing Kemp

@ShaneTHazel @ericswalwell You don't need an AR-15 to defend yourself or your family. A 300 Win Mag, 17MM, 30O6, 3030, .22. .17, 9mm, .44. .38 or .. 40 cal will work just fine. Even a 410 shot gun or a 12 gauge will defend your family. An AR-15 is an assault rifle designed with for high capacity.

We're not sure what Rep. Eric Swalwell does anymore except troll other members of Congress on Twitter. One of his usual targets is Rep. Lauren Boebert, and he recently posted a photo of her "without comment":

Posted without comment … pic.twitter.com/QGNubJ1KLv

— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) July 5, 2022

That's awesome!!!!

— Hammer (@TomMill89050662) July 6, 2022

Good trigger discipline

— Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) July 6, 2022

Great pic Eric! Thanks!

— GENESIS (@Genesis33K) July 6, 2022

Love her

— Joanne # IFBAP  (@USAGirl47) July 6, 2022

So you think she's a hottie?

— Jswarens (@jeff_swarens) July 5, 2022

There is no worse person in Congress than you. None.

— Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) July 5, 2022

Thanks for posting a picture of my friend @laurenboebert @RepBoebert demonstrating proper muzzle and trigger discipline even when it is unloaded. She's also demonstrating the ergonomics of the AR platform easy to handle for a tiny woman. Better than a Chinese spy like Fang Fang. https://t.co/euGRgKbIZU

— Chris Loesch  (@ChrisLoesch) July 6, 2022

Posted without hesitation! https://t.co/ZdtnZk6ETc pic.twitter.com/2sn1OFM2DM

— Joey Jones (@Johnny_Joey) July 6, 2022

pic.twitter.com/8xTGMnP8Ru

— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) July 6, 2022

Posted without comment pic.twitter.com/3Cqwn1gWf1

— Nuance Bro (@NuanceBro) July 5, 2022

Interesting to see what you find to be a greater risk. A firearm in the hands of a law-biding American, versus national secrets in the hands of a spy. That you put there.

— Viva Frei (@thevivafrei) July 6, 2022

Probably your best post. Why would anyone ever deprive women of their right to self defense & the defend of their families?

— Shane Hazel (@ShaneTHazel) July 5, 2022

That's hot 

— Brandon Herrera (@TheAKGuy) July 5, 2022

Aw, does the big bad boom stick trigger you?

— ULTRA MAGA GANGSTA' BOILER (@BTownBoiler) July 6, 2022

She's hot, and thank you for not talking. Your words make my brain swell.

— Patty Girl   (@PerspicaciousXY) July 5, 2022

Now that's an amazing pic. I'm jealous!

— Tin1029 (@Lttlfoto) July 6, 2022

Swalwell is completely obsessed with Boebert, it's kinda strange because her name is Lauren and not Fang Fang. https://t.co/93n4voj3E5

— Bobby D. (@RealSaltySlim) July 5, 2022

Because she's prettier than Fang Fang? https://t.co/Ekc3EmXOSZ

— Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) July 6, 2022

He just wants to date her. https://t.co/XdTqTFcbVp

— Phineas Fahrquar (@irishspy) July 6, 2022

Well, he can't:

.@EricSwalwell, give it up creep.

Did Fang Fang block you on WeChat?

You can't date me. https://t.co/ajBTJS3ZNm

— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) July 5, 2022

He has been a tad stalker-ish lately … no wonder she carries.

Related:

He's dead, Jim, DEAD! Lauren Boebert SHREDS Eric Swalwell for trying to tie her to Highland Park gunman SO savagely 'Fang Fang' trendshttps://t.co/ScYeOFGMtN

— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) July 5, 2022

recent stories

Rep. Lauren Boebert informs Rep. Eric Swalwell that no, he can't date her

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock is slightly ahead of Republican Herschel Walker in the latest Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll of a race that could decide control of the Senate, while Gov. Brian Kemp has an apparent lead over Democrat Stacey Abrams in a rematch for Georgia's top office.

The AJC poll is the latest that suggests a split-ticket dynamic may be emerging in Georgia's two marquee races, with a small but crucial bloc of voters indicating they're willing to cross party lines to cast ballots for both the incumbents in the nationally watched contests.

In his second election against Abrams, Kemp leads the Democrat 48% to 43% with an additional 7% of likely voters who haven't made up their minds. A statistically insignificant number of voters back Libertarian Shane Hazel and Al Bartell, who is on the ballot as an independent candidate.

Warnock edges Walker 46% to 43% in his bid for a full six-year term, with about 3% of voters indicating they'll support Libertarian Chase Oliver. About 8% say they're still undecided about the race, which is likely to be among the costliest in the nation.

"Both of these races are very close statistically," said Trey Hood, a University of Georgia political scientist who conducted the poll.

"There's a long way to go before the general election, but a trend is emerging with recent polls: Kemp is consistently polling ahead of Abrams and Warnock is polling ahead of Walker."

Combined ShapeCaptionU.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, left, is in a close race with Republican Herschel Walker in the newest Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden is underwater, with 60% saying they somewhat or strongly disapprove of his job performance. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via /TNS)

Credit: TNS

Credit: TNS

Combined ShapeCaptionU.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, left, is in a close race with Republican Herschel Walker in the newest Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden is underwater, with 60% saying they somewhat or strongly disapprove of his job performance. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via /TNS)

Credit: TNS

Credit: TNS

Warnock's slim lead is one of the only bright spots for Democrats in the poll. Republicans are in better shape in the down-ticket races.

President Joe Biden's approval rating is underwater, with about 60% of voters disapproving of his performance and about 36% who give him a favorable review.

And more than three-quarters of likely voters — 78% — say the country is on the wrong track while only 10% say it's headed in the right direction. The pessimism pervades every bloc of voters regardless of ideology, age, financial standing or educational background.

The poll of 902 likely voters was conducted July 14-22 and has a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points. It was conducted by UGA's School of Policy and International Affairs.

It's the first AJC poll since the May primary and June runoff decided candidates in Georgia's statewide races, and it offered a vivid portrait of the mood of the electorate in one of the nation's premier battleground states just months before the election.

ExploreAbout the AJC's July poll

Facing high energy prices and soaring inflation, the poll found that half of Georgia voters said rising costs were an "extremely important" factor in their vote. Gun violence and abortion were also top issues on voters' minds.

Combined ShapeCaptionDemocratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams trails Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in the latest Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll, but she does hold an edge of 51% to 33% among female voters. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Combined ShapeCaptionDemocratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams trails Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in the latest Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll, but she does hold an edge of 51% to 33% among female voters. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

One reason that the economy outweighs other concerns: A majority of voters show that prices that have climbed 9.1% from a year earlier have had a "significant, negative" impact on the lives of Georgians. An additional 35% said it was a noticeable factor in their daily lives.

The economic woes have also dented Biden's approval ratings, which have suffered from a lapse of support from middle-of-the-road voters. While only about one-fifth of Democrats disapprove of his track record, roughly two-thirds of independents give him poor marks.

Voters are more split over whether Democrats should retain control of Congress, with 46% saying they want the GOP to take the legislative branch while 41% want Democrats to hold their advantages. About 12% are undecided.

In the lieutenant governor race, Republican Burt Jones edges Democrat Charlie Bailey by 41% to 36%, with 7% backing Libertarian Ryan Graham and an additional 16% undecided. One-third of independents say they haven't made up their minds yet.

In the contest for secretary of state, Republican incumbent Brad Raffensperger, best known nationally for rejecting then-President Donald Trump's demand to reverse his defeat in Georgia, leads Democrat Bee Nguyen 46% to 32%. That includes 16% of Democrats who indicate they'll cross party lines to back him.

Combined ShapeCaptionGeorgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, center, holds a significant lead in his bid for reelection, the latest Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll shows. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Credit: Jacquelyn Martin

Credit: Jacquelyn Martin

Combined ShapeCaptionGeorgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, center, holds a significant lead in his bid for reelection, the latest Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll shows. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Credit: Jacquelyn Martin

Credit: Jacquelyn Martin

The poll was the latest to detect a split-ticket trend at the top of the ballot, indicating that roughly 4% of Kemp voters are supporting Warnock and 4% are backing a third-party contender. An additional 9% say they're on the fence.

Hood, the UGA political scientist, said the undecided Georgians could wind up backing Walker or sitting it out. But, he added, "even a small number of defections and roll-offs could matter in a tight race."

Rob Cliatt, a small business owner in Evans, counts himself among the reluctant Walker supporters.

"I don't like Warnock. He isn't who he says he is. But to be honest with you, I don't know enough about Walker," he said. "I'd probably rather have him over the Democrat because there's too many things that Warnock stands for that I don't. I'm holding my nose and voting for Walker."

Combined ShapeCaptionSome Republicans are finding it difficult to support Herschel Walker in the latest Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll, the latest survey to detect a split-ticket trend at the top of the Georgia ballot. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

Credit: Miguel Martinez

Combined ShapeCaptionSome Republicans are finding it difficult to support Herschel Walker in the latest Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll, the latest survey to detect a split-ticket trend at the top of the Georgia ballot. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

Credit: Miguel Martinez

Kemp's edge is largely thanks to a giant gender gap. While Abrams leads the governor 51% to 33% among female voters, Kemp has an advantage with men of 57% to 41%. He also has solid leads among voters 45 and older, while Abrams is polling better with younger voters.

The two rivals, meanwhile, polled roughly even among independent voters, a bloc that once voted reliably Republican but migrated during Trump's rise to power. They also make up the large segment of undecided voters, with 28% of independents saying they still haven't decided.

Joanna Finkelstein is among those voters. She sees herself as a conservative and supports expanded gun rights. But she also backs protecting abortion rights, an issue that she agrees with Democrats on. Still, she said she plans to vote for Kemp in November.

"We voted for who aligned with as many tic marks as we can get, but we're not happy with everybody," said Finkelstein, a Coweta County resident who works part time doing accounting work. "Our governor is doing a good job. He's OK-ish."

By contrast, Warnock holdsheld a solid lead of 38% to 27% over Walker among independents in the Senate contest, with only about one-fifth undecided. DeAundrea Stephens, who runs a nonprofit and works several part-time jobs, said she made her mind up early.

"We just need to give Warnock a chance to finish it out," said Stephens, a Douglasville resident who plans to vote Democratic down the ticket in November. "I don't want Herschel anywhere near the Senate. He's just another mouthpiece for Donald Trump."

Staff writer Mark Niesse contributed to this article.

In a new Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll, Georgia voters weigh in on the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the state's law restricting abortions.

The poll was conducted July 14-22 for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution by the University of Georgia's School of Public and International Affairs. It questioned 902 likely voters and has a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points.

If the election for governor were being held today, for whom would you vote?

Republican Brian Kemp — 48%

Democrat Stacy Abrams — 43%

Libertarian Shane Hazel — 1%

Independent Al Bartel — 1%

Undecided — 7%

If the election for the U.S. Senate were being held today, for whom would you vote?

Democrat Raphael Warnock — 46%

Republican Herschel Walker — 43%

Libertarian Chase Oliver — 3%

Undecided — 8%

If the election for lieutenant governor were being held today, for whom would you vote?

Republican Burt Jones — 41%

Democrat Charlie Bailey — 36%

Libertarian Ryan Graham — 7%

Undecided — 16%

If the election for secretary of state were being held today, for whom would you vote?

Republican Brad Raffensperger — 46%

Democrat Bee Nguyen — 32%

Libertarian Ted Metz — 7%

Undecided — 15%

Do you think things in the nation are generally headed in the right direction, or do you think things are off on the wrong track?

Headed in the right direction — 10%

Off on the wrong track — 78%

Mixed — 8%

Undecided — 4%

If the election were today, would you want to see the Republican Party or the Democratic Party win control of the U.S. Congress?

Republican Party — 46%

Democratic Party — 41%

Undecided — 12%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Biden is handling his job as president?

Strongly approve — 14%

Somewhat approve — 21%

Somewhat disapprove — 10%

Strongly disapprove — 50%

Undecided — 5%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Brian Kemp is handling his job as governor?

Strongly approve — 27%

Somewhat approve — 27%

Somewhat disapprove — 18%

Strongly disapprove — 25%

Undecided — 4%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Raphael Warnock is handling his job as U.S. senator?

Strongly approve — 28%

Somewhat approve — 19%

Somewhat disapprove — 10%

Strongly disapprove — 32%

Undecided — 11%

Poll information: The survey was administered by the School of Public and International Affairs Survey Research center at the University of Georgia. The AJC-SPIA Poll was conducted July 14-22 and included a total of 902 likely voters in Georgia. The calculated margin of error for the total sample is +/-3.3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

AJC poll: Kemp, Warnock slightly ahead in Georgia's top races

Stacey Abrams' fundraising continues to accelerate, swamping Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and pushing close to $50 million raised in the seven months since the Georgia Democrat announced her campaign in December. 

Abrams announced Friday that her direct campaign and its associated One Georgia committee raised $21.8 million during the two months ended June 30 and together had $18.5 million in cash on hand. 

That's far more than the combined $6.8 million Kemp raised for his direct campaign and associated Georgians First committee. Kemp said he had $6.4 million in cash as of June 30. 

Abrams also said that One Georgia, a special state fundraising vehicle allowing her to collect unlimited contributions and coordinate spending with her campaign, raised $6.3 million before May. 

The leadership committee had not reported numbers at an earlier deadline because of legal disputes. Abrams started collecting contributions for One Georgia before the May 24 primary, in which she was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. However, state ethics officials ruled that she could not use the leadership committee vehicle until she was officially certified as the Democratic nominee after the primary, even though state party officials argued she was already the party standard-bearer as the only Democrat who filed to run. 

Abrams spokesperson Jaylen Black said Friday that the campaign understands from state ethics officials that it is free to spend all of the leadership committee money that it raised before she became the official nominee. 

Both Kemp and Abrams are spending heavily. Abrams has already spent more than $30 million with the general election campaign just begun. Kemp has already spent more than $17 million as he dismantled former U.S. Sen. David Perdue and others in the Republican primary. 

The 2022 races in closely divided Georgia are likely to blow past old records, with a torrent of political spending expected from candidates, political parties and outside groups in the gubernatorial contest and the U.S. Senate race between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker. 

Kemp has raised more than $31 million, topping the $22.4 million he raised in his win over Abrams in 2018. But Abrams has raised $49 million in a much shorter period, with far more cash on hand. It's a flip from the decades when Georgia Democrats scratched for resources while Republicans generally enjoyed strong fundraising thanks in part to business contributions. 

Abrams campaign manager Lauren Groh Wargo said more than 240,000 donors have given $100 or less to Abrams. She argued that Abrams must strongly outspend Kemp to overcome the advantages he gets from being a sitting governor, including the ability to command news coverage and hand out federal COVID-19 relief money. 

"While we are gratified by the strong fundraising we have secured to date, we understand that our campaign must continue to dramatically outraise and outspend the incumbent in order to create a level playing field," Wargo wrote Friday in a publicly distributed memo. 

She said Abrams would spend the money "on deep, continuous and thoughtful engagement with the most diverse electorate in the state's history," in keeping with Abrams' voter mobilization approach. 

Kemp spokesperson Tate Mitchell said Kemp will run on his record while acknowledging that "Abrams and her liberal allies can — and will — continue to outraise and outspend our campaign." 

"Far-left radicals from across the country are bankrolling Stacey Abrams' campaign to bring the failed agenda of D.C. Democrats to Georgia," Mitchell said in a statement. 

Georgia candidates have a grace period ending Friday to file after the June 30 deadline. Neither Abrams nor Kemp had filed their actual reports with state ethics officials as of Friday afternoon. Libertarian Shane Hazel hadn't filed yet and independent Al Bartell said he raised $50 during the period. 

Both Perdue and Abrams sued over Georgia's leadership committee rules, saying it was unfair that Kemp could take in large amounts while Perdue and Abrams were barred unless they won their party primaries. 

After an earlier ruling that Kemp could not spend money from the committee for his campaign against Perdue, U.S. District Judge Mark Cohen ruled that Georgians First Leadership Committee could not solicit or receive contributions until after the primary election made Kemp the Republican nominee for governor.

Stacey Abrams' fundraising continues to accelerate, swamping Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and pushing close to $50 million raised in the seven months since the Georgia Democrat announced her campaign in December. 
 
Abrams announced Friday that her direct campaign and its associated One Georgia committee raised $22 million during the two months ended June 30 and together had $18.5 million in cash on hand. 
 
That's far more than the combined $6.8 million Kemp raised for his direct campaign and associated Georgians First committee. Kemp said he had $6.4 million in cash as of June 30. 
 
Abrams also said that One Georgia, a special state fundraising vehicle allowing her to collect unlimited contributions and coordinate spending with her campaign, raised $6.3 million before May. 
 
The leadership committee had not reported numbers at an earlier deadline because of legal disputes. 
 
Abrams started collecting contributions for One Georgia before the May 24 primary, in which she was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. 
 
However, state ethics officials ruled that she could not use the leadership committee vehicle until she was officially certified as the Democratic nominee after the primary, even though state party officials argued she was already the party standard-bearer as the only Democrat who filed to run. 
 
Abrams spokesperson Jaylen Black said Friday that the campaign understands from state ethics officials that it is free to spend all of the leadership committee money that it raised before she became the official nominee. 
 
Both Kemp and Abrams are spending heavily. Abrams has already spent more than $30 million with the general election campaign just begun. 
 
Kemp has already spent more than $17 million as he dismantled former U.S. Sen. David Perdue and others in the Republican primary. 
 
The 2022 races in closely divided Georgia are likely to blow past old records, with a torrent of political spending expected from candidates, political parties and outside groups in the gubernatorial contest and the U.S. Senate race between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker. 
 
Kemp has raised more than $31 million, topping the $22.4 million he raised in his win over Abrams in 2018. But Abrams has raised $49 million in a much shorter period, with far more cash on hand. 
 
It's a flip from the decades when Georgia Democrats scratched for resources while Republicans generally enjoyed strong fundraising thanks in part to business contributions. 
 
Abrams campaign manager Lauren Groh Wargo said more than 240,000 donors have given $100 or less to Abrams. 
 
She argued that Abrams must strongly outspend Kemp to overcome the advantages he gets from being a sitting governor, including the ability to command news coverage and hand out federal COVID-19 relief money. 
 
"While we are gratified by the strong fundraising we have secured to date, we understand that our campaign must continue to dramatically outraise and outspend the incumbent in order to create a level playing field," Wargo wrote Friday in a publicly distributed memo. 
 
She said Abrams would spend the money "on deep, continuous and thoughtful engagement with the most diverse electorate in the state's history," in keeping with Abrams' voter mobilization approach. 
 
Kemp spokesperson Tate Mitchell said Kemp will run on his record while acknowledging that "Abrams and her liberal allies can — and will — continue to outraise and outspend our campaign." 
 
"Far-left radicals from across the country are bankrolling Stacey Abrams' campaign to bring the failed agenda of D.C. Democrats to Georgia," Mitchell said in a statement. 
 
Georgia candidates have a grace period ending Friday to file after the June 30 deadline. 
 
Neither Abrams nor Kemp had filed their actual reports with state ethics officials as of Friday morning. Libertarian Shane Hazel said he raised $5,595 and independent Al Bartell hadn't filed yet. 
 
Both Perdue and Abrams sued over Georgia's leadership committee rules, saying it was unfair that Kemp could take in large amounts while Perdue and Abrams were barred unless they won their party primaries. 
 
After an earlier ruling that  Kemp could not spend money from the committee for his campaign against Perdue , U.S. District Judge Mark Cohen ruled that Georgians First Leadership Committee  could not solicit or receive contributions until after the primary election  made Kemp the Republican nominee for governor. 
 
The post appeared first on WABE .

Senate and gubernatorial elections in Georgia are considered two of nation's most crucial contests

Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock holds a slight three-point edge over Republican challenger Herschel Walker, according to a new poll in Georgia's crucial Senate showdown, one of a handful of races in battleground states that will determine if the GOP wins back the majority in the chamber in November's midterm elections.

And Republican Gov. Brian Kemp leads Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams 48%-43% in a high-profile rematch of their 2018 contest, according to a survey conducted for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution by the University of Georgia School of Public and International Affairs.

The poll, released Wednesday, indicates Warnock topping Walker 46% to 43%, with roughly 3% of voters saying they'll back Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver and 8% undecided.

Walker, who won a Heisman Trophy and helped steer the University of Georgia to a college football national championship four decades ago, jumped into the GOP race to face off against Warnock last summer after months of support and encouragement to run for the Senate by former President Donald Trump, his longtime friend. Walker trounced a handful of GOP rivals in May's Republican Senate primary.

Republicans see Warnock — the senior pastor at Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. used to preach, and who defeated GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler by a razor-thin margin to capture the Senate seat a year and a half ago — as very vulnerable as he runs for re-election to a full six-year term.

Warnock has dramatically out raised Walker, and the senator's re-election campaign and allied Democratic groups have spent millions to target the GOP nominee the past two months over what they call his"bizarre or false statements." A TV ad by Warnock's campaign that launched last month spotlights past comments by Walker saying that he had a "dry mist" that would "kill any COVID on your body." 

Walker's also taken fire over numerous reports that he overinflated the success of his businesses and has been playing defense regarding a number of personal controversies — from allegations of past abuse to children he fathered out of wedlock.

Thanks to his legendary status among many in Georgia and his immense, favorable name recognition in the Peach State, Walker instantly became the overwhelming front-runner for the GOP Senate nomination and basically ignored the field of lesser-known primary rivals, declining to take part in debates as he focused his campaign on Warnock. Some Republican strategists remain concerned that Walker is unprepared for the incoming fire that he's now receiving during the general election campaign.

Walker, in a statement following the release of the poll, accused Warnock and the Democrats of "attacking me instead of talking about the issues important to voters. Georgians know that a vote for Warnock is a vote for record-high inflation, crime in our communities, $5 gas, and empty shelves — all of which have hit Georgia families hard. But no matter how much he raises, Sen. Warnock can never hide from his 96% voting record with Joe Biden."

Trey Hood, the survey's pollster, and the director of the University of Georgia's survey research center, told Fox News that the new poll and other recent surveys from other organizations point to a "trend emerging, with Kemp consistently ahead of Abrams and Warnock edging Walker."

"If some of these Kemp supporters don't pull the lever for Walker, they just don't vote in that race, that's just as damaging for Walker," Hood said. But he also noted "there a long way to go before the general election."

Warnock campaign manager Quentin Fulks told Fox News that "there are going to be polls in all directions over the course of this campaign. Here's what we know: this race will be close, which is why we can't take anything for granted and are working hard every day to reelect Reverend Warnock, so he can continue fighting in the Senate to protect and save jobs, lower costs for hardworking families and stand up for Georgia servicemembers and veterans."

In the governor's race, 7% are undecided, with a Libertarian Shane Hazel and independent candidate Al Bartell each at 1%.

Abrams, a voting rights activist and a former Democratic leader in the state legislature who narrowly lost to Kemp in 2018, and who's become a rising star in her party, would make history as the nation's first Black female governor if she wins in November.

Hood noted that "Black support for Stacey Abrams was a little soft," and that the Democratic nominee currently is "not reaching the target she needs with White voters for a Democrat to win." 

But Abrams spokesperson Alex Floyd told Fox News that "after months of attacking our campaign and lying about Stacey Abrams' record while trying to cover for his own extreme agenda, Brian Kemp is in a dangerous position for an incumbent governor. His lack of support from a majority of voters shows that Georgians don't want extreme bans on abortion and reckless gun policies that make it easier for criminals to carry loaded, hidden guns in public. We've always known this race would be close, and our campaign is strong, gaining momentum and building a historic multiracial coalition in Georgia."

The poll indicated that President Biden's standing among Georgians isn't doing the Democratic candidates any favors. The president stood at 35% approval and 60% disapproval in the new survey.

Warnock stood at 47% approval and 42% disapproval, with Kemp at 54%-43%.

Half of those questioned in the poll said record inflation and high energy prices were an "extremely important" factor in their vote in the general election, with gun violence and abortion also important issues.

The survey was conducted July 14-22, with 902 likely voters in Georgia questioned. The poll's sampling error is plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.

Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter based in New Hampshire. 

Georgia showdowns: Kemp tops Abrams, Warnock edges Walker, in new poll

Stacey Abrams' fundraising continues to accelerate, swamping Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and pushing close to $50 million raised in the seven months since the Georgia Democrat announced her campaign in December.

Abrams announced Friday that her direct campaign and its associated One Georgia committee raised $22 million during the two months ended June 30 and together had $18.5 million in cash on hand.

That's far more than the combined $6.8 million Kemp raised for his direct campaign and associated Georgians First committee. Kemp said he had $6.4 million in cash as of June 30.

Abrams also said that One Georgia, a special state fundraising vehicle allowing her to collect unlimited contributions and coordinate spending with her campaign, raised $6.3 million before May.

The leadership committee had not reported numbers at an earlier deadline because of legal disputes. Abrams started collecting contributions for One Georgia before the May 24 primary, in which she was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. However, state ethics officials ruled that she could not use the leadership committee vehicle until she was officially certified as the Democratic nominee after the primary, even though state party officials argued she was already the party standard-bearer as the only Democrat who filed to run.

Abrams spokesperson Jaylen Black said Friday that the campaign understands from state ethics officials that it is free to spend all of the leadership committee money that it raised before she became the official nominee.

Both Kemp and Abrams are spending heavily. Abrams has already spent more than $30 million with the general election campaign just begun. Kemp has already spent more than $17 million as he dismantled former U.S. Sen. David Perdue and others in the Republican primary.

The 2022 races in closely divided Georgia are likely to blow past old records, with a torrent of political spending expected from candidates, political parties and outside groups in the gubernatorial contest and the U.S. Senate race between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker.

Kemp has raised more than $31 million, topping the $22.4 million he raised in his win over Abrams in 2018. But Abrams has raised $49 million in a much shorter period, with far more cash on hand. It's a flip from the decades when Georgia Democrats scratched for resources while Republicans generally enjoyed strong fundraising thanks in part to business contributions.

Abrams campaign manager Lauren Groh Wargo said more than 240,000 donors have given $100 or less to Abrams. She argued that Abrams must strongly outspend Kemp to overcome the advantages he gets from being a sitting governor, including the ability to command news coverage and hand out federal COVID-19 relief money.

"While we are gratified by the strong fundraising we have secured to date, we understand that our campaign must continue to dramatically outraise and outspend the incumbent in order to create a level playing field," Wargo wrote Friday in a publicly distributed memo.

She said Abrams would spend the money "on deep, continuous and thoughtful engagement with the most diverse electorate in the state's history," in keeping with Abrams' voter mobilization approach.

Kemp spokesperson Tate Mitchell said Kemp will run on his record while acknowledging that "Abrams and her liberal allies can — and will — continue to outraise and outspend our campaign."

"Far-left radicals from across the country are bankrolling Stacey Abrams' campaign to bring the failed agenda of D.C. Democrats to Georgia," Mitchell said in a statement.

Georgia candidates have a grace period ending Friday to file after the June 30 deadline. Neither Abrams nor Kemp had filed their actual reports with state ethics officials as of Friday morning. Libertarian Shane Hazel said he raised $5,595 and independent Al Bartell hadn't filed yet.

Both Perdue and Abrams sued over Georgia's leadership committee rules, saying it was unfair that Kemp could take in large amounts while Perdue and Abrams were barred unless they won their party primaries.

After an earlier ruling that Kemp could not spend money from the committee for his campaign against Perdue, U.S. District Judge Mark Cohen ruled that Georgians First Leadership Committee could not solicit or receive contributions until after the primary election made Kemp the Republican nominee for governor.

Stacey Abrams raises $22M in 2 months, far outpacing Kemp

But getting on the ballot isn't easy for many Libertarians

In Georgia's close, unpredictable elections this year, Libertarian Party candidates could be the wild cards.

Since Georgia requires a candidate win with a majority of all votes, Libertarians could force Republicans and Democrats into runoffs this fall.

A poll last week by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution showed Libertarian hopefuls getting the support from as many as 7% of likely voters in some races.

While Republicans had dominated runoffs in the past in Georgia, Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff won runoffs in early January 2021 for Georgia's U.S. Senate seats.

Libertarians say they can make a difference as they try to appeal to voters who value personal liberty and small government, especially after Georgia's law limiting abortions took effect last month.

"You can see in the polling that everybody kind of hates the two major parties and increasingly don't like where the country is going," said Ryan Graham, the Libertarian candidate for lieutenant governor and a former party chairman. "We are giving voice to an underrepresented voting bloc in America."

Combined ShapeCaptionBrett Larson, from left, Nathan Wilson, executive director of the Libertarian Party of Georgia, and Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Allen Buckley watch election results on a computer during a Libertarian watch party in November 2016 at the Mellow Mushroom in Atlanta. (BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL)

Credit: Branden Camp

Credit: Branden Camp

Combined ShapeCaptionBrett Larson, from left, Nathan Wilson, executive director of the Libertarian Party of Georgia, and Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Allen Buckley watch election results on a computer during a Libertarian watch party in November 2016 at the Mellow Mushroom in Atlanta. (BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL)

Credit: Branden Camp

Credit: Branden Camp

There are 10 Libertarians on the ballot this November in statewide races, including for the U.S. Senate, governor and secretary of state.

But voters won't have a Libertarian choice in any congressional and legislative races because of Georgia's ballot access laws, which are among the strictest in the nation. No third-party candidates have ever been able to run for the U.S. House under a 1943 state law that requires them to gather signatures from 5% of registered voters.

One of those Libertarian candidates, Angela Pence, tried to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in a solidly conservative northwest Georgia district. Pence fell far short of the 25,000 signatures she needed, gathering about 6,000.

"I could have shook things up, but instead we're going to have Marjorie again for another two years," Pence said. "A Democrat isn't going to win in this district, but a Libertarian could have given her a run for her money. It's going to take enough people or the system getting so bad that they're finally willing to change it."

The two big political parties have stymied Libertarians' chances to field more candidates, leaving state law unchanged.

Libertarian challenges have also fallen short in court. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in January reversed a ruling that would have lowered the number of signatures needed for a third-party candidate to get on the ballot. The Libertarian Party of Georgia appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court this week.

Both major-party candidates for governor, Republican Brian Kemp and Democrat Stacey Abrams, plan to try to get Libertarians to vote for them.

"The stakes in this election could not be higher," Kemp campaign spokesman Tate Mitchell said. "Gov. Kemp will continue reaching out to voters in every community and on every side of the aisle."

Abrams campaign spokesman Alex Floyd said, "She understands how voters are frustrated with the current political status quo in Georgia and has spent her career advocating for Georgians' right to participate in our democratic process so they can make their voices heard — regardless of the candidate they support.

"Stacey Abrams is focused on reaching out to voters all across our state to talk about how her plans work for them."

Neither candidate has announced plans to expand ballot access to third parties if elected.

Under Georgia law, third parties can nominate candidates for statewide offices as long as at least one of their candidates received votes from more than 1% of registered voters in the previous general election. But candidates for district races must meet the state's 5% signature requirement.

Republicans and Democrats often shy away from proposals that could weaken their duopoly control of Georgia politics.

"You don't want my opinion on it because I'd probably get thrown out of the Republican Party," said state Rep. Steve Tarvin, a Republican from Chickamauga and chairman of the House Interstate Cooperation Committee. "I would say we need easier ballot access, but I don't think just anybody can get on the ballot. I don't know what the answer is, but I don't think it's 25,000 signatures."

House Minority Leader James Beverly said he'd consider bills expanding ballot access if Democrats took over a majority of seats in the House, which is unlikely to happen this year.

"Everyone who wishes to vote should be able to vote, and you should choose a candidate who best represents your interests. Having a third party isn't bad," said Beverly, a Democrat from Macon. "I suspect Libertarians will be more inclined to vote for Democrats now because their basic philosophy upholds liberty as a core value."

Libertarian candidates know they don't stand much of a chance of winning this year, but they hope to make their case to voters and grow their base for the future.

The AJC poll showed 3% of likely voters support Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Chase Oliver and less than 1% backed gubernatorial candidate Shane Hazel. The highest-polling Libertarian candidates were Graham for lieutenant governor and Ted Metz for secretary of state, both at about 7%.

The poll of 902 likely voters was conducted July 14-22 and has a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points. It was conducted by the University of Georgia's School of Public and International Affairs.

Support for Libertarians tends to decline by the time elections arrive. In 2020, Libertarian candidates received between 1% and 3% of the vote.

But that can be enough in a tight race between Republicans and Democrats to throw the election into a runoff, as has happed several times in the past 30 years.

"When you have third parties, those two major parties know that if you don't keep your promises, you do have options," said Elizabeth Melton Gallimore, executive director for the Libertarian Party of Georgia.

Libertarian appeal to swing voters could force Georgia elections to runoffs

This week in concerts, indie-pop trio AJR plays at Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, R&B soul queen Erykah Badu performs at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and '80s pop-boy band New Kids On The Block takes the stage at Ball Arena. New Zealand sibling duo Broods comes to The Bluebird Theater while Nothing More occupies The Fillmore Auditorium alongside Asking Alexandria. For this and more music news stay updated with 303 Magazine. Ball Arena New Kids on The Block. Photo courtesy of New Kids on The Block on Facebook. 6/10 – New Kids On The Block The Black Box 6/7 – Electronic Tuesdays: Boylan, American Grime, Subliminal and more 6/8 – Work in Progress Wednesdays: Open deck 6/9 – Dreaddy Bear, Ollie Mumbles, Muted Diagram 6/10 – Joe Nice, Smokestax, Sunken Frequencies 6/10 – Rsrch Chmcls, Lunarmxntra, Goretega 6/11 – 5Am, St4rfox, Humandala and more 6/11 – Dumblejunk, Solid, Libuse and more 6/12 – 5 Am, St4rfox, Malakai and more 6/12 – Sunday School: Ableton Push, Aimerie The Black Buzzard at Oskar Blues 6/10 – The Ephinjis, Legs 6/11 – JC Quinn, Nomad Fox, Dvnny Del Revl and more The Bluebird Theater 6/6 – Avi Kaplan, Andrew von Kampen 6/7 – Broods, Ella Vos 6/8 – Failure 6/9 – Town Mountain, Morsel, Madeline Hawthorne Band 6/11 – Sunflower Bean, Liily Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom 6/8 – Fivio Foreign, Dreamdoll, Badda TD 6/9 – Shift, Secret REcipe, Chmura and more 6/10 – The Heavy Pets, Kendal Street Company 6/10 – Anomalie 6/11 – Marriage Celebration with Deadphish Orchestra 6/12 – Lil Tracy, Brennan Savage Dazzle 6/7 – Diamond Empire Band 6/8 – Ben Markley Big Band, Ari Hoenig 6/9 – Kind Folk Quartet 6/10 – Keyon Harrold 6/10 – Keyon Harrold 6/11 – Anderies, Lamb Collaboration Project 6/11 – Anderies, Lamb Collaboration Project Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre AJR. Photo courtesy of AJR on Facebook. 6/10 – AJR, BoyWithUke The Fillmore Auditorium 6/12 – Nothing More, Asking Alexandria Globe Hall 6/6 – Vansire, Valley Palace 6/8 – Jackie Venson, The Keeps 6/9 – Lu Lagoon, Paulo's Flood, Bug and more 6/10 – Ambar Lucid, Miki Ratsula 6/11 – Still Corners, Foxes in Fiction 6/12 – Rumble Young Man, Rumble, Despairia and more Goosetown Tavern 6/7 – Open mic 6/9 – Thursday Groove 6/10 – Lazy Summer Home 6/11 – Denver Vintage Reggae Society The Gothic Theatre 6/9 – Old 97's, The 40 Acre Mule 6/10 – Hot Water Music, Modern Life is War, Elway 6/12 – The Wailers, Lola Rising Herb's Hideout 6/6 – Vlad Gershevich 6/7 – Gabe Mervine, Vlad Gershevich, Colin Stranahan and more 6/8 – Diana Castro 6/9 – Dave Randon Trio 6/10 – Alive on Arrival 6/11 – Rowdy Shadehouse Funk Band 6/12 – True Blue Herman's Hideaway Paizley Park. Photo courtesy of Paizley Park on Facebook. 6/11 – Paizley Park Hi-Dive 6/7 – Blackwater Holylight, Spirit Mother, Eagle Wing 6/9 – Blue Hawaii, DJ Nico Tobon, DJ WNGDU 6/10 – Cool Ghouls, Slynger, Easy Ease 6/11 – Funk Hunk, DJ Shannon Von Kelly, DJ Fancy and more HQ 6/7 – Total Chaos, The Hacks 6/7 – Dark Tuesdays 6/8 – Psyclon Nine, Seven Factor, Our Frankenstein and more 6/9 – Wiff, Bailey Elora, The Backseaters 6/10 – Lipgloss: Indie Dance Party with Boyhollow Larimer Lounge 6/6 – Iamnotshane, MyKey 6/9 – Wild Love Tigress, Blue Tongue, Audio Sex Drive 6/10 – Everybody But Jay, Lost Cause 6/10 – Boogie Lights, Dh DoS, DJ Techdaddy 6/11 – The Raritans, The Owl Reserve, Maple Stevens Band 6/11 – Decker Rush, Kordicimo, Tate 6/12 – Music & Art Fest: Somaya, Alana Mars, Robot Tennis Club and more Levitt Pavilion Denver 6/9 – Della Mae, Jacob Joliff Band 6/10 – Steer Canyon Rangers, Timber 6/11 – Calexico, Molly Parden 6/12 – Kutandara, Maputo Mensah, Logo Ligi Lost Lake 6/9 – High Lonesome, Deer Creek Sharp Shooters, Tonewood Stringband 6/10 – Wingtip, Pleasure Prince, Clrblnd 6/11 – Harbour, America Part Two, This Broken Beat 6/12 – Sponge Cake, Lavagato, The Shrikes Marquis Theater 6/10 – Vundabar, Runner 6/11 – Dream, Ivory Meow Wolf 6/10 – Caspian, Arms and Sleepers, Ghosts of Glaciers 6/11 – Nintendo Kiki Ball, House of Flora Mission Ballroom The Revivalists. Photo by Mark Tepsic. 6/8 – Sofi Tukker, Lp Gioni, Mary Droppinz 6/9 – The Revivalists, Ghost of Paul Revere 6/11 – Purity Ring, Ekkstacy Nocturne 6/8 – The Annie Booth Trio 6/9 – Matt Smiley Trio 6/10 – Media Noche Honrado 6/11 – Coração Brazilian Quartet 6/12 – Big Swing Trio Number Thirty Eight 6/8 – DJ Erin Stereo 6/9 – Jublingo 6/10 – Stephen Brooks Trio 6/12 – Jacob Tobey, Brent Cowles Ophelia's Electric Soapbox 6/10 – Shinyribs 6/12 – Acoustic Syndicate The Ogden Theater 6/9 – The Black Angels, Dion Lunadon 6/11 – Eptic, UBUR, Leotrix and more 6/12 – Everclear, Fastball, The Nixons The Oriental Theater 6/8 – Jesse Daniel, Jad Brodie 6/10 – Max & Iggor Cavalera 6/11 – Ten, Rooster, CoreShot 6/12 – Crown The Empire, D.R.U.G.S., The Word Alive and more Paramount Theatre 6/10 – Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons 6/11 – Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Red Rocks Amphitheatre Erykah Badu. Photo by Kori Hazel. 6/6 – Whiskey Myers, Shane Smith & The Saints, Read Southall Band 6/7 – Erykah Badu, Robert Glasper, Jaron the Secret 6/8 – Jai Wolf, San Holo, Manila Killa and more 6/9 – Brit Floyd 6/10 – The Revivalists, Preservation Hall Jazz Band 6/11 – Big Head Todd and The Monsters, Violent Femmes 6/12 – Tash Sultana, Josh Cashman Roxy Broadway 6/8 – Jeremy Wendelin 6/9 – Rico Jones 6/9 – Dizzy With a Dame 6/10 – The Keeps, The Bannetones,  Americo 6/11 – Austin Johnson 6/11 – The Black Feathers, Prophets of Naught 6/12 – DJ Hoontz Roxy Theatre 6/9 – Sounds Like Summer: Ricky Spanish, Blank Slates, Broken Down Nuns and more 6/10 – $K Wrldwide Soiled Dove 6/10 – The Tony Furtado Acoustic Band 6/11 – Ron McMillon 6/12 – Blue Gospel Scripts Happy Hour Summit Music Hall 6/10 – Emo Nite La 6/11 – Adrenalina Temple Night Club Gardella. Photo courtesy of Gardella on Facebook. 6/9 – Gardella 6/10 – Nostalgi 6/11 – Laidback Luke The Venue 6/8 – Open stage 6/11 – Psycho Love Your Mom's House 6/6 – Momma's Open House: Subsonic, Snacks, DJ JT 6/8 – Novacancy, Konductr 6/9 – Thred Savage, DJ Prashant, Khurram and more 6/10 – The Elegant Plums, Mountain Rose, The Skinny 6/11 – Jvckpot, Waggles & Burban, Hysteric and more 6/12 – Leonardo Leonardo, When Darkness Falls, Awake in Ashes and more 6/12 – JRose, Folklohr, Soulface

This Week in Concerts – AJR, Erykah Badu, New Kids On The Block and More

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said Wednesday that his main campaign committee raised $3.8 million in the two months ended June 30, but heavy spending leading up to the Republican's blowout primary win meant that Kemp's total amount of cash on hand continued to decline.

Kemp spokesman Cody Hall said the incumbent's main campaign committee had $6.4 million on hand. That reflects spending of more than $8 million before and just after the May 24 primary when Kemp thrashed former U.S. Sen. David Perdue and others. Kemp had $10.7 million in cash on April 30 and $12.7 million on Jan. 31.

Kemp also raised $3 million for his Georgians First Leadership Committee, Hall said, giving him a total of $6.8 million raised during the period. That special state fundraising vehicle allows the governor to collect unlimited contributions and coordinate spending with his campaign. The committee also spent about $3 million, leaving it with $650,000 on hand.

Democrat Stacey Abrams has yet to report numbers. Other candidates in November are Libertarian Shane Hazel and independent Al Bartell.

Georgia candidates have a grace period to file after the June 30 deadline, and Kemp had not filed his actual report with state ethics officials as of Wednesday evening.

Abrams has raised more than $20 million for her main campaign committee since announcing her campaign in December.

Kemp has raised more than $23 million over a longer period, topping the $22.4 million he raised in his win over Abrams in 2018.

The campaign in closely divided Georgia is likely to blow past old spending records, with a torrent of political spending expected from candidates, political parties and outside groups, especially when combined with the U.S. Senate race between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker.

Both Perdue and Abrams sued over the leadership committee, saying it was unfair that Kemp could take in large amounts while Perdue and Abrams were barred until they won their party primaries.

After an earlier ruling that Kemp could not spend money from the committee for his campaign against Perdue, U.S. District Judge Mark Cohen ruled that Georgians First Leadership Committee could not solicit or receive contributions until after the primary election made Kemp the Republican nominee for governor. So the $3 million raised for Georgians First would have all come since May 24.

Gov. Brian Kemp raises $3.8M for reelection bid

@ShaneTHazel @ericswalwell Yes. I often take selfies when I'm defending myself and my family.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) promoted its "Child ID" app Tuesday, which purports to help parents whose children may go missing by storing biometric information and photos of the children.

The app "provides a convenient place to electronically store photos and other vital information" about children, the tweet reads. The premise of the app is to "show the pictures and provide physical identifiers such as height and weight to security or police officers on the spot," according to the FBI's website. (RELATED: IG: FBI Agents Mishandled Allegations Against Gymnastics National Team Doctor Larry Nassar)

When opened, the app prompts users with the option to record a child's full name, address, home phone number, and biometric information. It prompts guardians to disclose some of their own personal information as well. The app accepts up to 10 photographs of a child, with up to five from behind the child.

The Child ID app also asks users for access to their smartphone's camera and presents users with the option to specify their local police department.

The #FBI Child ID app—the first mobile application created by the Bureau—provides a convenient place to electronically store photos and other vital information about your children so that it's literally right at hand if you need it. Learn more at https://t.co/qCvDsH9h0a. pic.twitter.com/HpaUzjDz2r

— FBI (@FBI) July 5, 2022

People from across the political spectrum criticized and mocked the FBI's app.

No

— Krystal Ball (@krystalball) July 5, 2022

Absolutely Not https://t.co/VNWzYI3kt1

— Yashar Ali  (@yashar) July 6, 2022

this is a prank right https://t.co/txkXkBRddh

— shoshana wodinsky (she/her) (@swodinsky) July 6, 2022

everyone, just download the app from law enforcement onto the device that tracks your movement and give it all of your personal info

— Steve Beynon (@StevenBeynon) July 5, 2022

Nice try, feds https://t.co/6LVZknGTaC

— Pete D'Abrosca (@pdabrosca) July 5, 2022

The people who refuse to name, much less arrest, Ghislaine Maxwell's clients would like to have your children's photos and personal info in their database.

In exchange, they'll let you look at it too. https://t.co/YEkTS3bWEF

— Spike Cohen (@RealSpikeCohen) July 6, 2022

Time to end the FBI https://t.co/gbH73rr6o0

— Shane Hazel (@ShaneTHazel) July 6, 2022

Probably the last place you'd ever want to store any info bout your kids. https://t.co/ROLlKtZ4bE

— Hodgetwins (@hodgetwins) July 5, 2022

You literally cannot make this shit up. https://t.co/vxgUm8OqRr

— Natalie Dowzicky (@Nat_Dowzicky) July 6, 2022

The FBI stated that it "is not collecting or storing any photos or information that you [users] enter in the app."

The FBI has recently faced intense scrutiny and legal ramifications relating to its mishandling of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case.

Nobody Seems To Think The FBI's 'Child ID' App Is A Good Idea

Tonight on #Kennedy we stand against forced climate austerity, give the finger to San Diego school mask mandates &amp; question Kissinger's 70s China logic w

@exjon
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@LPNational Vote for @ShaneTHazel https://t.co/zinbDzlpKQ

Looking forward to our #Bitcoin  @LPNational livestream tomorrow with @saifedean @stephanlivera @lopp @GhostofSvetski @TheeGuyswan @MartyBent and @ShaneTHazel 
Donate to the LP in Bitcoin at https://t.co/Uel1RAd0rs

Cc: @ShaneTHazel @YALiberty https://t.co/Uj6OpYcrb5

Die Fähigkeiten eines Ingenieurs stehen im Juli im Adventure Hazel Sky auf dem Prüfstand.

Auf ein herzergreifendes Abenteuer mit dem jungen Ingenieur Shane, der sich seinem Schicksal und seinen Wünschen stellen muss, schickt euch Publisher Neon Doctrine in Hazel Sky ab dem 20. Juli auf Xbox One.

Im Spiel des Entwicklers Coffee Addict Studio muss er baufällige Flugmaschinen reparieren und springt, klettert, schwingt und rutscht sich dabei durch eine wunderschöne, geheimnisvolle Welt.

Einen Ausblick auf das kommende Abenteuer zeigen wir euch heute im aktuellen Gameplay-Trailer.

Über Hazel Sky

Shane wird auf eine Insel weit weg von zu Hause in die fliegende Stadt Gideon geschickt. Er muss die Prüfungen bestehen und als Ingenieur zurückkehren oder er wird verbannt. Shane und seine Mitstreiterin Erin, eine Ingenieurin in Ausbildung, sind über Funk miteinander verbunden und schließen eine unerlaubte Freundschaft. Eine Freundschaft, die Shanes Sicht auf die Welt verändern wird.

Die Prüfungen sind der ultimative Test, den jeder Ingenieur bestehen muss, bevor er die ehrenvolle Rolle übernimmt. Für Shane sind die Prüfungen sein Schicksal, aber Schicksal und Wunsch stimmen nur selten überein, und in einer Welt, die zwischen geehrten Ingenieuren und geschmähten Künstlern gespalten ist, ist Shane hin- und hergerissen. Die Prüfungen, die Ereignisse in Gideon und eine unwahrscheinliche Romanze erzählen die bittersüße Geschichte von Liebe, Ehrgeiz und einer Gesellschaft, die an der Schwelle zu etwas Neuem steht.

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Hazel Sky: Fähigkeiten eines Ingenieurs stehen im Juli auf dem Prüfstand

@ShaneTHazel @ericswalwell Self defense? Where were the good guys or girls with guns yesterday in Highland park? Or any other mass killing? 🙄

Stacey Abrams said Sunday that due to her faith she was pro-life until college changed her perception.

The Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate told CNN's State of the Union program that she now views it that her faith should not allow her to impose value systems on others.

'I have thought about my faith a great deal,' Abrams said in the Sunday morning interview when asked about how her belief system affects her view on abortion.

'In fact,' she continues, 'I was anti-abortion until I went to college. And, there, I met a friend who has my shared faith values, but we started having conversations about what reproductive care and abortion care really is.'

She said college gave her a 'different perspective' on abortion and what role the legislature should play in health care.

'This is health care,' she insisted. 'This is about a woman's right to control her body. This is about a woman's right to experience and determine her future. And that, for me, as a matter of faith, means that I don't impose those value systems on others.'

Abrams is vying to take Republican Georgia Governor Brian Kemp's seat in the November midterm elections as he runs for his second term.

Before becoming governor in 2019, Kemp was Georgia's secretary of State from 2010-2018.

Also running in the general election this fall are Libertarian Shane Hazel and independent candidates Elbert Bartell and President Boddie, a write in.

Abrams' previous view on abortion is shared as the issue becomes a main point for Democrats trying gain traction in the midterm elections.

The left sees the issue as a way to hold onto their majorities after the Supreme Court ruled in June to overturn the 50-year precedent set in Roe v. Wade that protected abortion rights at the federal level.

When asked about keeping abortion legal in Georgia should she take residence in the governor's mansion, Abrams said, 'What I understand is that the majority of Georgians do not like this law. It is an extreme ban. It is dangerous, and it affects women across the spectrum.'

Georgia, prior to the ruling this summer, already had some of the most restrictive abortion laws.

Kemp signed in 2019 a law that banned abortion at six weeks into a pregnancy, which is typically when a fetal heartbeat can be detected. In the case of unplanned pregnancies, many women still do not know they are pregnant at six weeks.

There were so-called trigger laws in 13 other states – Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. These laws banned abortion once Roe v. Wade was overturned.

The Supreme Court decision, made possible by a conservative majority, sent abortion laws back to the states rather than keeping it federally protected.

'The bill passed in 2019 by one vote in the House,' Abrams said of the Georgia law. 'I believe that we will come back into power when I take the governorship with people who want to do what's right for the women of Georgia. This is an economic issue. This is a health care issue. This is a liberty issue…And I absolutely believe that we can fix this law.

Stacey Abrams says her faith gave her anti-abortion views that changed when she went to college

@NBanney @ShaneTHazel @disclosetv BTC has tens of millions of users around the world already

It's legal tender in El Salvador and the Central African Republic

Nigeria also has the highest per capita Bitcoin adoption despite their govt trying to ban it

The Lightning Network has been a game changer for usability

@houseboy97 @ShaneTHazel @ericswalwell You can be armed but do you need to be armed with automatic and semi automatic weapons though? No, no you don't. Stop pretending there is no middle ground please.

Set sail on the SS Kennedalia tonight at 7pET/4PT with:

@TPCarney
@kevinpwalling
@ShaneTHazel
Ted Williams
@derrickvanorden
@kattimpf

Ahoy, freedomaniacs! @FoxBusiness

@ShaneTHazel @realDailyWire So 100,000+ fentanyl deaths every year is acceptable to you?

ATLANTA — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said Wednesday that his main campaign committee raised $3.8 million in the two months ended June 30, but heavy spending leading up to the Republican's blowout primary win meant that Kemp's total amount of cash on hand continued to decline.

Kemp spokesman Cody Hall said the incumbent's main campaign committee had $6.4 million on hand. That reflects spending of more than $8 million before and just after the May 24 primary when Kemp thrashed former U.S. Sen. David Perdue and others. Kemp had $10.7 million in cash on April 30 and $12.7 million on Jan. 31.

Kemp also raised $3 million for his Georgians First Leadership Committee, Hall said, giving him a total of $6.8 million raised during the period. That special state fundraising vehicle allows the governor to collect unlimited contributions and coordinate spending with his campaign. The committee also spent about $3 million, leaving it with $650,000 on hand.

Democrat Stacey Abrams has yet to report numbers. Other candidates in November are Libertarian Shane Hazel and independent Al Bartell.

Georgia candidates have a grace period to file after the June 30 deadline, and Kemp had not filed his actual report with state ethics officials as of Wednesday evening.

Abrams has raised more than $20 million for her main campaign committee since announcing her campaign in December.

Kemp has raised more than $23 million over a longer period, topping the $22.4 million he raised in his win over Abrams in 2018.

The campaign in closely divided Georgia is likely to blow past old spending records, with a torrent of political spending expected from candidates, political parties and outside groups, especially when combined with the U.S. Senate race between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker.

Both Perdue and Abrams sued over the leadership committee, saying it was unfair that Kemp could take in large amounts while Perdue and Abrams were barred until they won their party primaries.

After an earlier ruling that Kemp could not spend money from the committee for his campaign against Perdue, U.S. District Judge Mark Cohen ruled that Georgians First Leadership Committee could not solicit or receive contributions until after the primary election made Kemp the Republican nominee for governor. So the $3 million raised for Georgians First would have all come since May 24.

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