Republican Gov. Brian Kemp will lead the Republican Governors Association for the next year, the group announced Wednesday. The announcement comes after Republicans won eight of 11 governor’s races in the recent midterm elections.
Kemp, currently the vice chair of the organization, will take over for Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte will take on the role of vice chair.
The Republican Governors Association works to elect Republican candidates for governor across the United States. Kemp is expected to use the position to push for conservative policies across the country.
“Republican governors are making commonsense, conservative policies a reality, putting families and children first, and making our states the best places to run a business and raise a family,” Kemp said in a statement.
Kemp’s relationship with President-elect Donald Trump has seemingly thawed after a rocky patch. Trump previously attacked Kemp for refusing to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results, but after Kemp promised to help with Trump’s electoral efforts on Fox News, Trump’s comments turned from attacks to praise.
“I look forward to working with my fellow Republican governors and President Trump to keep getting the job done for the American people and to add even more Republican governors to our ranks,” Kemp said in a statement.
As Republicans look ahead to the 2025 and 2026 elections, Kemp is expected to campaign across the country, boosting his national profile as his term as governor comes to an end.
Some have suggested Kemp might challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia in 2026 or run for president. Leading the Republican Governors Association will give Kemp strong national connections and resources for either effort.
The organization previously backed Kemp’s campaigns against Democrat Stacey Abrams in 2018 and Trump-endorsed David Perdue in the 2022 Republican primary. Kemp’s well-funded political operation was instrumental in turning out Georgia Republicans for the November elections, helping to secure wins for Trump and other Republican candidates in the state.
