Former Democratic state Representative and two-time nominee for governor Stacey Abrams announced her support for state Senator Josh McLaurin in the Democratic runoff for lieutenant governor.
Sen. McLaurin was the favorite in the race for the Democratic nomination for second-in-command until a few days before qualifying, when former state Senator Nabilah Parkes announced her surprise entry into the race, leading to a competitive primary.
Sen. McLaurin criticized Parkes' entrance into the race after she resigned from her Senate seat to focus on the campaign, saying she was abandoning her constituents. Prior to announcing her bid for lieutenant governor, Parkes was campaigning for state insurance commissioner.
She said that part of the reason she decided to launch the campaign for lieutenant governor was because of a highly criticized political ad by Republican candidate and state Senator Greg Dolezal that depicted Muslims terrorizing Georgians.
Parkes was the first Muslim woman elected to Georgia's Senate.
McLaurin still ended the May 19 Democratic primary on top, but without enough of a lead to avoid a runoff.
McLaurin earned 41.4% of the votes, compared to Parkes' 39.5%. Georgia requires a singular candidate to receive at least 50% of the vote to advance directly to the midterms.
The pair will face off again on June 16 to decide who will ultimately end up on the ballot for the Democrats.
Abrams announced her support for McLaurin's campaign Tuesday.
"Josh works to deliver for all of us - from health care to affordable housing to basic human dignity," Abrams said in a statement released with the endorsement. "We can win the future, Georgia, and I am proud to stand with Sen. Josh McLaurin as we continue our march forward."
McLaurin's campaign has focused on affordability and improving workers' rights, selling points for the Democratic party.
If McLaurin wins the Democratic runoff on June 16, he will face the winner of the Republican runoff in the November midterms.
State Sen. Greg Dolezal and former state Senator John F. Kennedy are the Republican candidates still left in the running.
