In a blow to Democrat Stacey Abrams and her allies, less than 40 days until the 2022 midterm elections, a federal judge has upheld Georgia's election laws in "what is believed to have been the longest voting rights bench trial in the history of the Northern District of Georgia."

"Although Georgia's election system is not perfect, the challenged practices violate neither the constitution nor the Voting Rights Act," U.S. District Judge Steve Jones wrote in the ruling.

The case, filed by Fair Fight Action shortly after Abrams' 2018 loss, targeted Georgia's policies on absentee ballot cancellations, "exact match," and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's management of voter rolls. "Exact match" policies suspended a person's voting status if there were inconsistencies between their voter registration form and identification. The plaintiffs argued this was racially discriminatory because most voters affected were Black.

"The court finds that the burden on voters is relatively low," Jones wrote about the "exact match" measure. "Here, plaintiffs have not provided direct evidence of a voter who was unable to vote, experienced longer wait times, was confused about voter registration status."

Abrams said the decision was "not the preferred outcome" but represented a "hard-won victory" for Black and brown voters.

"This case and the public engagement on these issues have had measurable results: the reinstatement of over 22,000 ballots, substantive changes to voting laws, and a platform for voters of color to demand greater equity in our state," her statement read.

Out on the campaign trail, Abrams continues to defend her refusal to concede in 2018, often saying that Brian Kemp, a Republican who was then serving as secretary of state, created barriers for people to vote when he was serving as Secretary of State, which is why she did not win the election.

Meanwhile, Gov. Kemp took a victory lap following Friday's decision.

"From day one, Abrams has used this lawsuit to line her pockets, sow distrust in our democratic institutions, and build her own celebrity. Judge Jones' ruling exposes this legal effort for what it really is: a tool wielded by a politician hoping to wrongfully weaponize the legal system to further her own political goals," Kemp said in a statement.

-- ABC News' Lalee Ibssa

As the House prepares to leave Washington for the final weeks of the campaign season, Democratic Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland predicted to reporters on Thursday that his party will -- despite the political headwinds and voters' ire over inflation -- "hold the majority" and even "pick up some seats" on Nov. 8.

That outlook is at odds with history and the private assessments of most, if not all, of his Democratic colleagues who believe their party is likely to lose the House where they currently hold a single-digit majority. Republicans need to gain six of more than 30 tossup seats this fall to win back the chamber.

Hoyer argued that Democrats have a robust legislative record to campaign on, including the pandemic-relief American Rescue Plan and bipartisan semiconductor manufacturing and infrastructure investment packages. In some of the 48 districts he's visited, Hoyer said he's seen repair work underway on key roads and bridges as a result of the latter legislation.

He also acknowledged that "inflation is hurting people" and that Democrats "have to bring it down."

Hoyer identified five House races where Democrats could flip GOP seats: Nebraska's 2nd District (Rep. Don Bacon); Ohio's 1st (Rep. Steve Chabot); California's 21st (Rep. David Valadao); Illinois' 13th (Rep. Rodney Davis); and Michigan's 3rd (Rep. Peter Meijer).

He also said Democrats are working to defend a number of key seats, including districts in North Carolina and Rhode Island, where incumbents are retiring, and in redrawn seats in Pennsylvania and Ohio where the representatives chose to run for Senate.

Hoyer, 83, pushed back on questions about whether he'd continue to serve in leadership if Democrats lose the House: "It's silly to speculate. It's not silly to think about it."

He said he did not agree to abide by the 2018 promise made by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to limit the top three Democratic leaders at the time to four more years at the head of the caucus -- a deal cut to appease a threat from critics of the trio, who have collectively spent decades in power even as younger generations of lawmakers emerge.

-- ABC News' Benjamin Siegel

Arizona Democratic attorney general nominee Kris Mayes and her Republican opponent, Abe Hamadeh, found little common ground on a debate stage in Phoenix on Wednesday as they sparred over abortion and on the validity of the 2020 election.

While Mayes slammed a recent court decision upholding a state territory-era law prohibiting nearly all abortions in Arizona and mandating jail time for providers, Hamadeh said he'd follow the newly reinstated ban.

When it came to the 2020 election, Hamadeh said he believes the contest was "rigged" despite verified audits and hand recounts upholding Donald Trump's loss. Mayes told ABC News after the debate that every election-denier on the ballot this fall is "dangerous."

One issue both candidates agreed on was the importance of addressing the flow of drugs into their state, though they differed on how. Hamadeh said he would work to declare drug cartels a terrorist organization on "day one." Mayes said she would work with law enforcement officials along the border and go after funding in the state's $5 billion-surplus to tackle fentanyl.

Read more here.

-- ABC News' Libby Cathey

The Republican candidates for governor and Senate in Pennsylvania on Thursday sought the support of energy leaders at Shale Insight, a three-day conference in Erie convening industry heads from Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Senate hopeful Mehmet Oz and gubernatorial nominee Doug Mastriano, who spoke back-to-back, talked encouragingly about Pennsylvania’s energy potential and vowed to tap into the state’s resources to bring jobs and economic growth.

“The key is underneath our feet,” said Mastriano, who pledged to roll back hundreds of regulations were he to win his race against state Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

The joint appearance was rare for the statewide Republican ticket, whose campaigns have developed a somewhat cool relationship as Mastriano and Oz differ on key issues and have received different levels of financial support.

Oz, who spoke first, had left the ballroom with family and staff by the time Mastriano took the stage moments later. Neither mentioned the other while speaking.

-- ABC News' Will McDuffie

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday continued his ongoing duel with red state governors, championing liberal policies on abortion and immigration in the face of some Republican leaders' moves on those issues.

Newsom, who is speculated to be a potential 2024 presidential contender (which he has played down), used his gubernatorial reelection campaign funds to place advertisements in six states with limited abortion rights after the Supreme Court’s June decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade.

All of the Newsom-funded billboards advertise that California is ready to help residents who are seeking an abortion.

“You do not need to be a California resident to receive abortion services,” one billboard said.

In a tweet on Thursday, Newsom announced that he would be responding to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott having transported immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts and to Washington, D.C. -- which DeSantis and Abbott say is in protest of Democratic border policies -- by requesting the Department of Justice investigate their efforts.

“I’m formally requesting the DOJ begin an immediate investigation into these inhumane efforts to use kids as political pawns,” Newsom wrote in a tweet, accompanied by the his request, addressed to Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Newsom has shot proverbial arrows at DeSantis before -- in August sending money across the country to help Florida Democratic gubernatorial nominee Rep. Charlie Crist defeat DeSantis this November.

-- ABC News' Isabella Murray