Stacey Abrams Says South Lived Under 'Soft Authoritarianism' Since 1776 in Harris Interview
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 13
Stacey Abrams Says South Lived Under 'Soft Authoritarianism' Since 1776 in Harris Interview
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 13
Summary
Abrams told Kamala Harris on her podcast that the American South has lived under “soft authoritarianism” since 1776 and serves as a preview of what U.S. authoritarianism looks like.
The claim came in a discussion of Democrats’ future in southern states, where Abrams argued the region has long seen the warning signs first and also produced early political solutions.
Abrams tied that argument to voting rules, calling the voter ID debate “false” and citing Texas gun-license rules and North Carolina polling-place access for students.
The remarks drew immediate pushback from NewsBusters editor Curtis Houck, who said voter ID has operated in states such as Virginia for more than a decade under both parties.
The interview also put two prominent Democrats back in view: Abrams lost Georgia governor’s races in 2018 and 2022, while Harris—defeated in 2024—is seen as a possible 2028 contender.