Stacey Abrams to give Democrats response to State of Union

FILE - In a Friday, Nov. 16, 2018 file photo, Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams makes remarks during a press conference at the Abrams Headquarters in Atlanta. A political organization backed by Democrat Stacey Abrams filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018 challenging the way Georgia’s elections are run, making good on a promise Abrams made as she ended her bid to become the state’s governor.(Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, File)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams will deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. The role elevates Abrams in Democratic politics after she narrowly lost the governor’s race in November. Schumer called Abrams a “great spokesperson” and a leader on voting rights.

A group backed by Abrams filed a federal lawsuit this month saying Georgia deprived many low-income people and minorities of their voting rights with secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp overseeing the 2018 election. After a long dispute, Kemp won the governorship. Senate Democrats are urging Abrams to run for Senate in 2020 against Republican Sen. David Perdue.