Democrat Abrams says she can't win governor's race, but will sue Georgia for election 'mismanagement'

Democrat Stacey Abrams said she can't win the Georgia governor's race, effectively ending her challenge to Republican Brian Kemp.

Her speech Friday effectively puts a stop to the contest. The final result had been in doubt for 10 days after the election.

Abrams stressed as she spoke: "This is not a speech of concession."

Abrams said she will file a federal lawsuit to challenge the "gross mismanagement" of Georgia elections.

She said: "In the coming days, we will be filing a major federal lawsuit against the state of Georgia for the gross mismanagement of this election and to protect future elections."

Republican Brian Kemp is Georgia's former secretary of state and was backed by President Donald Trump. Abrams and voting rights activists have argued for months that Kemp mismanaged the elections system in his post.

Abrams made her announcement just after 5 p.m. That was the earliest state officials could certify the results after a court-ordered review of absentee, provisional and other uncounted ballots. Abrams' campaign had contended there were potentially enough uncounted votes to force a runoff.

Abrams had hoped to become the first black governor of the Deep South state and the first black female governor of any state.

Kemp said the Georgia gubernatorial election is over with Abrams' acknowledgement that she can't win the race, and he is urging the state to look forward.

He said: "The election is over and hardworking Georgians are ready to move forward. We can no longer dwell on the divisive politics of the past but must focus on Georgia's bright and promising future."

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