Abrams admits defeat in hard-fought Georgia governor race

FILE PHOTO: Democratic gubernatorial candidate for Georgia Stacey Abrams speaks during a debate with Republican opponent Secretary of State Brian Kemp (not shown) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S, October 23, 2018. John Bazemore/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

(Reuters) - Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams admitted defeat in her effort to become the first black female U.S. governor on Friday, but said she planned to sue the state over voting problems and "gross mismanagement" of the election.

Abrams' announcement effectively hands victory to Republican Brian Kemp in a bitter race that has drawn national attention both for her historic campaign and for Kemp's role as the state's top election administrator.