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Abrams, Kemp volley on the other's record on sex predators

Stacey Abrams (L) and Brian Kemp

ATLANTA -- One candidate for governor is accusing another of voting to protect sexual predators in a bill that passed the legislature more than a decade ago.

Democrat Stacey Abrams voted against a bill to restrict where sexual predators can go. Abrams’ supporters say the vote was tough, but principled.

"Abrams even voted to allow sex offenders to work within 1000 feet of schools and child care facilities," intones an announcer in an ad paid for by the Georgia Republican party.

It cites a 2008 Georgia House vote – passed overwhelmingly – but opposed by 29 House Democrats. Rep. Stacey Abrams was one of them.

"I respect the fact that leader Abrams voted against it," said veteran state Sen. Nan Orrock, an Abrams backer. Orrock says the bill created as many problems as it solved.

"The rules were so impractical that a person couldn’t actually find a place to stay, to work, to exist in Georgia," Orrock said.

Abrams' campaign said the ad was an attempt to mislead and distract voters.

Democrats have also played the sexual predator card with an ad attacking her opponent, Republican Brian Kemp, over his office’s handling of sexual assault allegations at massage studios, an industry regulated by the Secretary of State.

"Ninety-six percent of claims ignored by Kemp’s office," the ad says.

Kemp’s office called that allegation “baseless” and “politically motivated” when Republicans first raised it in the summer’s primary runoff.

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