Brian Kemp has a whole new problem in Georgia
It was with jubilation that we learned this week of Democrat Stacey Abrams’ announcement that she’s running again for the governorship in Georgia. She lost narrowly in 2018 to Republican Brian Kemp who, in a glaring conflict of interest, was then Georgia Secretary of State and oversaw his own election after engaging in extreme voter purging and other disenfranchisement tactics. Despite all of the right’s underhanded efforts, the election was still close. Abrams and a Republican will face off again in 2022, but this time Kemp must first endure a primary from his right.
Former GOP Georgia Senator David Perdue, who lost his seat to progressive Democrat Jon Ossoff earlier this year, has decided, per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other media, to primary Kemp as a Trump acolyte. Whoever the Republicans choose as their candidate, it’ll be a tough fight against the well-liked and savvy Abrams. Perdue hopes to be endorsed by a vengeful Donald Trump, as Kemp hasn’t adequately ingratiated himself with the former president or his cultish followers. Trump’s influence is waning in some state-level politics, and it’s unclear if Perdue can sufficiently excite the right; what we do know is that Abrams’ presence on the ballot will invigorate and motivate the left.
Expect nastiness on the Republican side of this gubernatorial race. Kemp, who was booed at his state’s Republican convention this year, hasn’t embraced the Big Lie created by Trump, but he certainly holds reprehensible Republican views. Of Perdue, a Kemp spokesperson said “Perdue’s only reason for running is to soothe his own bruised ego, because his campaign for U.S. Senate failed to inspire voters at the ballot box.” The good news for Democrats is that the left will rally for Abrams, all while Perdue and Kemp are distracted and devolve into divisive campaigning, with neither man being particularly popular with right-wing voters.
