New Georgia Project Faces Layoffs Amid Controversy
A nonprofit voter engagement organization co-founded by prominent Georgia political figure Stacey Abrams has reportedly experienced significant layoffs, coinciding with a recent state ethics fine related to campaign finance violations. The New Georgia Project (NGP), an influential force in Democrat efforts during the 2020 elections, has seen dozens of employees laid off, raising concerns over its future and the implications of recent controversies.
Mass Layoffs Affect Staff at NGP
On December 27, 2022, the NGP began what has since been described as a series of layoffs affecting several employees. Reports indicate that these layoffs have continued into January, as more staff faced termination at the start of the new year. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, approximately a dozen additional employees were let go by the end of January.
The Mission and Achievements of NGP
The New Georgia Project defines itself as a nonpartisan initiative committed to registering and engaging the New Georgia Majority, which encompasses a growing demographic of Black, brown, young, and other historically marginalized citizens. NGP garnered significant attention for its role in helping to flip the state of Georgia in the 2020 presidential election, during which the Republican Party lost both the presidency and its two Senate seats in just three months.
Ethics Violations and Consequences
Compounding the turmoil, the NGP recently attracted negative attention following findings from the Georgia Ethics Commission. The commission determined that both NGP and its affiliated political action fund had unlawfully supported Abrams’ gubernatorial campaign in 2018 while failing to properly report donations and expenditures. Investigations revealed that over million was raised for Abrams and others during the election cycle, leading to a record fine of 0,000. This penalty was part of a settlement agreement that recognized 16 instances of illegal activity, as reported by Atlanta News First.
Reaction from Affected Employees and Leadership
In light of the layoffs, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated by NGP policy director Stephanie Ali. The campaign shed light on the layoffs, indicating that some employees were given as little as three days’ notice before their termination. According to the GoFundMe page, the NGP attributed these layoffs to economic downturns, reduced fundraising in an ‘off’ election year, and other factors.
Abrams’ Departures and Statements
As the founder of NGP, Stacey Abrams took a step back from the organization in 2017 to focus on her gubernatorial campaign against now-Governor Brian Kemp. In a recent interaction with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Abrams expressed her disappointment over the layoffs, stating, “My thoughts are with those laid off. Regardless of NGP’s structure, I will never stop believing in the mission of ensuring every Georgian can make their voice heard.”
Political Repercussions and Criticisms
The fallout from NGP’s situation has ignited a flurry of political commentary. Cody Hall, a senior advisor to Governor Kemp, expressed skepticism about Abrams’ role and knowledge regarding the organization, questioning, “What did Stacey Abrams know and when did she know it?” He emphasized that the organization she founded ran into issues, casting doubts on her claims of ignorance.
Georgia’s Lt. Governor Burt Jones also chimed in on the controversy, accusing Abrams of manipulating the narrative and asserting that her group’s financial irregularities were being exposed. Jones stated that “the people of Georgia are good judges of character,” suggesting that the revelations concerning NGP would not be forgotten.
Lawmakers Weigh In
Amid the unfolding drama, Georgia Senate President John F. Kennedy characterized the NGP news as “the tip of the iceberg” regarding Abrams’ affiliations and fundraising practices, pondering, “How many more millions will she fleece from donors to enrich herself or skirt campaign finance rules until the spigot turns off?”
NGP’s Impact on Voter Registration
Despite recent controversies, the New Georgia Project has made significant strides in voter registration in the state. According to reports from Atlanta’s FOX affiliate, NGP has successfully registered approximately 55,000 Georgians, with more than 80% of these new voters being Black and 40% falling within the 18-25 age demographic.
Conclusion
The situation surrounding the New Georgia Project serves as a multifaceted narrative of political engagement, ethical scrutiny, and the challenges faced by nonprofit organizations in the political arena. As the NGP works to navigate these recent developments, the implications for its mission, staffing, and future programs remain uncertain. The incidents surrounding the organization, coupled with the ongoing political discourse regarding election integrity and civic engagement, suggest that the scrutiny of actions taken by such organizations will likely intensify in coming months.
