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Bloomberg to join Stacey Abrams at voting rights event in Georgia

Photos: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images; Earl Gibson III/Getty Images

Mike Bloomberg will attend Stacey Abrams' voting rights summit in Georgia on Friday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution first reported and Axios has confirmed.

Why it matters: Abrams' 2018 gubernatorial run and subsequent fight against voter suppression has made her a Democratic darling who’s now one of the most sought after surrogates for the party's 2020 contenders.

  • While it's not an endorsement, the mere optics of standing next to Abrams are a big get for any Democratic presidential candidate. 
  • She’s been speculated to be a top pick for vice president — and her ability to connect with communities of color is unmatched.

Flashback: In 2018, Bloomberg donated $500,000 to Abrams’ gubernatorial campaign. In December, he gave $5 million to Abrams' Fair Fight organization, her initiative to fight against voter suppression.

  • Bloomberg, who was just blasted by filmmaker Ava Duvernay for his position on the Central Park Five, needs to improve his standing with the black community.

The big picture: This is Bloomberg's second visit to Georgia since launching his presidential bid. His focus on the state reflects his strategy to look past the early voting states in favor of Super Tuesday and subsequent primaries (Georgia votes on March 24).

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Michael Bloomberg