Georgia’s Republican-controlled Senate is launching a formal investigation into Stacey Abrams and climate grant allocations tied to groups she worked with, intensifying partisan tensions as the 2026 election cycle nears.
State Sen. Bill Cowsert announced Thursday that lawmakers aim to probe alleged campaign finance violations involving the New Georgia Project, a voter outreach group founded by Abrams in 2013. The move follows a $300,000 ethics fine—Georgia’s largest ever—against the group and its affiliate for failing to register as an independent committee and not disclosing finances supporting Abrams’ 2018 gubernatorial campaign.
“We have a problem these days with dark money in politics,” Cowsert said. “The goal of this investigation is transparency.”
The inquiry will also examine claims by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, a Trump appointee, who alleges that $2 billion was improperly granted to a coalition of environmental groups under the Biden administration. Abrams served as senior counsel to one member of the coalition, Rewiring America, until December, though she was not paid by Power Forward Communities—the group awarded the funds.
The developments come as Republicans, led by Donald Trump, increasingly focus on Abrams as a symbol of Democratic influence in Georgia. Trump recently criticized her during a national address, accusing her of benefiting from misused federal funds.
Democrats have condemned the probe as politically motivated. “We’ve already spent precious time investigating people for headlines and clicks,” said state Sen. Jason Esteves (D-Atlanta), referencing an ongoing inquiry into Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, another high-profile Trump critic.
Abrams, who lost gubernatorial races in 2018 and 2022, has denied wrongdoing and said Republicans are targeting her due to her success in mobilizing Democratic voters.
Meanwhile, climate groups entangled in the funding dispute have pushed back. One coalition sued the EPA, while another sued Citibank for withholding grant money tied to Biden’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
The Senate committee, armed with subpoena power, is expected to begin hearings in the coming weeks.
