A nonprofit organization founded by Stacey Abrams has agreed to pay a historic fine after violating campaign finance laws during her unsuccessful 2018 gubernatorial campaign in Georgia. The New Georgia Project and its affiliated group, the New Georgia Project Action Fund, were assessed a $300,000 fine, the largest campaign finance penalty in the state’s history. The fine stems from the group’s failure to properly register as an independent committee, as required by Georgia law, and its failure to disclose millions of dollars in contributions and expenditures during the election cycle.
The New Georgia Project, which was founded by Abrams in 2014, raised and spent millions of dollars to support her gubernatorial bid. However, under state law, the group was obligated to file as an independent committee, disclosing both fundraising and spending activities. Instead, the organization did not register, and it failed to report approximately $4.2 million in contributions and $3.2 million in expenditures. This lack of transparency violated Georgia’s campaign finance laws and prompted an investigation by the Georgia State Ethics Commission.
The commission’s findings included 16 separate violations, 12 of which were related to the 2018 gubernatorial race. The group’s activities included canvassing, distributing literature, engaging on social media, and operating field offices with paid staff—all aimed at influencing the election in favor of Abrams and other Democratic candidates. Additionally, the group was involved in supporting a 2019 ballot initiative to expand the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) by raising sales taxes, which was also unsuccessful.
The $300,000 fine represents the largest penalty ever imposed by Georgia’s Ethics Commission and is considered one of the most significant campaign finance fines in the United States. The New Georgia Project agreed to the fine through a consent agreement with the ethics commission, which will be paid in two installments: the first by February 15, 2025, and the second by January 15, 2026.
The New Georgia Project’s activities were part of a broader effort to mobilize voters in Georgia, particularly among minority communities. While the group has been praised for its work in registering voters and increasing political participation, its failure to comply with campaign finance laws has raised questions about the transparency and accountability of nonprofit organizations involved in political activities.
Stacey Abrams, who founded the New Georgia Project before running for governor, left the organization in 2017 to focus on her campaign. The group was later chaired by Raphael Warnock, who would go on to become a U.S. Senator. Despite the controversy surrounding the fine, the New Georgia Project has continued its work in Georgia, focusing on voter engagement and advocacy for progressive causes.
The Georgia State Ethics Commission has emphasized that the fine serves as a warning to other organizations and individuals who may attempt to influence elections without proper registration or disclosure. The commission’s decision reflects its commitment to upholding campaign finance laws and ensuring that all political activities are conducted transparently and in accordance with state regulations.
This case highlights the importance of compliance with campaign finance laws, particularly for organizations involved in political advocacy. The record fine imposed on the New Georgia Project underscores the need for organizations to operate within the legal framework to avoid penalties and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
