Governor Brian Kemp announced Tuesday he will seek reelection. The governor is banking on his conservative record to win second term in office, despite backlash from pro-Trump Republicans for not overturning the state’s presidential election results.
Kemp rolled out a statewide network of grassroots leaders from all 159 counties who will help in his reelection bid. The campaign will hold an official kickoff event later this summer, says Kemp Campaign Manager Bobby Saparow.
“With grassroots leaders across every county in the state standing with Governor Kemp, it’s clear his record is one Georgians support, and we look forward to hitting the campaign trail in the coming months to build on our momentum and continue fighting to put hardworking Georgians first,” says Saparow.
In an interview with WSB-TV News, Kemp acknowledged his first term has been marked by many challenges — from the pandemic to the recession to the controversial presidential election. Still, he thinks his administration has handled them well.
“Our state’s in a really good place, and it’s going to get better. And I want to keep driving that ship,” Kemp said.
The governor faces a primary challenge from Vernon Jones, a former Democratic state representative and CEO of DeKalb County who supported former President Donald Trump.
If Kemp wins the primary, it could set him up for a rematch with Stacey Abrams.
Abrams and fellow Democrats are critical of Kemp’s handling of the pandemic and his support for controversial election laws they view as suppressive.
In a statement, Georgia Democratic Party chair and Rep. Nikema Williams said, “With members of his own party rebuking him and his approval rating among voters shaky at best, Brian Kemp is standing on thin ice from left to right.”
Kemp told WSB-TV he thinks his campaign will do “very well” regardless of who enters the race.
