If you’ve spent any time following Georgia politics over the last decade, you know the name Stacey Abrams is basically synonymous with high-stakes elections. She’s been the face of the Democratic surge in the South, the woman who nearly became the nation’s first Black female governor in 2018 and then raised a staggering $110 million for a 2022 rematch.
But today? The vibe is different.
Honestly, the big news—the thing everyone was waiting for—finally dropped earlier this month. On January 8, 2026, Abrams officially pulled the plug on the "will-she-won't-she" rumors. She isn't running for Governor of Georgia this year. For the first time in a long time, there won't be an "Abrams for Governor" sign on every other lawn in Atlanta.
So, if she's not on the campaign trail, what is Stacey Abrams doing today?
She’s actually busier than most people who are running for office. Between a high-profile academic chair at Howard University, a senior role at a climate non-profit, and a writing career that keeps churning out bestsellers, she’s pivoted. She is moving from "candidate" to something more like a "national democracy architect."
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The 2026 Governor’s Race: Why She Stepped Aside
It’s kind of the end of an era. For years, the Georgia Democratic party felt like it was revolving around Abrams’ star power. But 2026 is different. Brian Kemp, her two-time rival, is term-limited and can’t run again. The field is wide open.
Abrams told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that her "highest calling" right now isn't holding office, but exposing what she calls the "playbook of authoritarianism." She’s specifically focused on the political climate under the current Trump administration, launching something called the 10 Steps Campaign.
It's basically a toolkit. She’s traveling the country, showing people how to recognize the signs of autocracy and—more importantly—how to resist it.
Why not run a third time?
- A Crowded Field: Unlike 2022, where she ran unopposed for the nomination, about a dozen Democrats have already jumped into the 2026 race.
- Political Baggage: Let’s be real—the organizations she founded, like the New Georgia Project, have had a rough couple of years. The group actually folded in 2025 after facing a $300,000 fine for ethics violations. While Abrams wasn't running the day-to-day when that happened, the "brand damage" was done.
- Strategic Exit: By stepping aside, she’s allowing others, like former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, to take the mantle without a messy primary fight.
Professor Abrams: The Howard University Connection
If you're looking for her on a Tuesday afternoon, she might be in D.C.
Abrams is currently the inaugural Ronald W. Walters Endowed Chair for Race and Black Politics at Howard University. This isn't just a ceremonial title. She’s leading fireside chats, working with students on public policy, and trying to bridge the gap between academic theory and the messy reality of the voting booth.
She tells her students to "learn their lessons, not their losses." It’s a mantra she’s clearly living. At Howard, she’s focusing on how policy decisions—everything from tax law to transit—disproportionately affect Black communities.
The "Green" Pivot: Rewiring America
Here’s a detail that catches a lot of people off guard: Stacey Abrams is deeply into heat pumps.
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Seriously. Since 2023, she has served as Senior Counsel for Rewiring America, a non-profit focused on "electrifying everything." She’s been pushing for middle-class and low-income families to get their share of federal climate incentives.
She often talks about "Cancer Alley"—the industrial stretch in her home state of Mississippi—as the reason she cares about environmental justice. For her, climate change isn't just a science problem; it's a civil rights problem. If the transition to clean energy leaves poor communities behind, she views it as a policy failure.
The Storyteller: From Politics to AI Thrillers
Then there’s the writing. People forget she’s a prolific author.
In April 2025, she released Coded Justice, the third book in her Avery Keene series. It’s a legal thriller that dives into the ethics of Artificial Intelligence in the medical field. It's doing well on the charts, and she’s been hitting the book festival circuit—like the Decatur Book Festival late last year—to talk about the intersection of technology and the law.
She still writes under her own name now, a change from the days when she used the pen name Selena Montgomery for her romance novels.
What’s Next: Actionable Insights
So, what does this tell us about where she’s headed? Abrams is clearly building a legacy that doesn't depend on a "Governor" title. She’s diversifying her influence across academia, climate policy, and literature.
If you’re following her work, here are three things to watch in 2026:
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- The 10 Steps Campaign: Watch for her to appear on major media outlets (like her recent interview with Lisa Ling) to promote this democracy-protection framework. This is her primary political vehicle right now.
- Howard University Research: Look for upcoming white papers or policy proposals coming out of the Ronald Walters Center. These will likely shape the Democratic platform for the 2028 election cycle.
- The 2026 Endorsement: Even though she isn't running, her endorsement in the Georgia Democratic primary will be the most sought-after "get" in the state. Who she backs will tell us a lot about the future of the party in the South.
Abrams is currently a "private citizen" with the schedule of a Head of State. She’s proved that you don’t need an office to stay at the center of the conversation.
Next Steps for Readers:
- Track the 2026 Georgia Primary: Follow the local coverage as candidates like Keisha Lance Bottoms and Burt Jones navigate the vacuum left by Abrams.
- Explore Climate Incentives: Check the Rewiring America website to see if you qualify for the electrification tax credits Abrams is currently championing.
- Read "Coded Justice": If you want to see how she views the dangers of AI, her latest thriller offers a pretty clear window into her concerns about tech and privacy.