Georgia first lady Sandra Deal is facing backlash for the racist dog whistle heard ’round Georgia Tuesday night as Americans tuned in to watch the nail-biting results of the 2018 midterm elections.
During her comments, Sandra Deal suggested Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams wouldn’t “take good care” of the Governor’s Mansion. (Twitter video screenshot)
Deal and her husband, Gov. Nathan Deal, were among the crowd of fellow Republican supporters who attended gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp‘s watch party in Athens as the results of the hotly contested elections continued pouring in. Kemp, who’s Georgia’s Secretary of State, faced off against Democrat Stacey Abrams in a race that was still too close to call as of Wednesday morning.
With the results still up in the air, Deal addressed Kemp supporters Tuesday to keep them encouraged in the long night ahead. Her “pep talk” didn’t blow over well, however.
“We are just so thankful for all of you who have supported Brian and his family,” Georgia’s first lady told the crowd. “I really want a family in the mansion to take good care of it.”
Outrage ensued, as critics wasted no time calling out what they perceived to be a racist dog whistle.
“We see through her coded language,” one woman wrote on Twitter.
“I’m white and I heard that bullhorn,” a man replied.
“I’m white, vote Republican and even I heard that,” another voter chimed in. “Disgusting. I disagree with Abrams on just about everything, but she can take care of that house just fine by herself.”
Another questioned, “what the hell does that even mean?”
Abrams, who’s unmarried and has no kids, would make history as the nation’s first Black woman governor if elected. As of Wednesday morning, the Georgia Democrat was trailing Kemp by 75,000 votes, making the chances of a runoff a possibility.
One critic argued Abrams was owed an apology for the racist attack by Deal.
“Well @GovernorDeal’s wife just slapped @staceyabrams in the face with that remark,” he wrote. “Does she think Abrams won’t take good care of the mansion? … She needs to apologize immediately.”
One critic said she was fed up with half-hearted apologies from closet racists, however, arguing they’re only “sorry” when they get caught
“They always issue an apology when called out, but the thing is we are tired of listening to or reading apologies. It’s pathetic,” she wrote.
Watch more in the clip below.
First Lady Sandra Deal just spoke at Brian Kemp's election watch party: "We are just so thankful for all of you who have supported Brian and his family. I really want a family in the mansion to take good care of it." #ElectionOn2 pic.twitter.com/2WoQnonVsI
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) November 7, 2018
