Brian Kemp is the 83rd governor of Georgia, serving since 2019. A Republican, he has been a central figure in Georgia politics, particularly during the 2020 presidential election and subsequent election integrity debates. His tenure has been marked by policies focused on economic growth, tax cuts, conservative social policies, and election security.
Most Recent Election Victory (2022)
- Kemp won re-election in the 2022 Georgia gubernatorial race against Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams in a rematch of their closely contested 2018 race.
- He secured 53.4% of the vote to Abrams’ 45.9%, a wider margin compared to 2018.
- His victory was largely credited to his focus on Georgia’s economy, crime policies, and his decision to push back against former President Donald Trump’s claims of a stolen 2020 election.
- Kemp’s strong campaign strategy involved highlighting his record on job creation, tax cuts, and resisting COVID-19 restrictions.
Political Path to Becoming Governor
- Georgia State Senator (2003-2007) – Represented Georgia’s 46th district as a Republican.
- Georgia Secretary of State (2010-2018) – Appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue, later winning two elections.
- Gained attention for implementing strict voter ID laws and purging inactive voters from rolls, sparking controversy.
- 2018 Governor’s Race – Defeated Stacey Abrams in a contentious election with 50.2% of the vote to 48.8%.
- Faced allegations of voter suppression due to his role overseeing the election while serving as Secretary of State.
- 2022 Governor’s Race – Easily defeated Trump-endorsed Republican primary challenger David Perdue before securing a decisive victory over Abrams.
Key Proposals and Policies
- Election Integrity: Signed SB 202 (Election Integrity Act of 2021), imposing new voting restrictions such as ID requirements for absentee ballots and limiting ballot drop boxes.
- Economic Growth: Pushed for tax cuts, state business-friendly policies, and job creation programs.
- Education: Increased teacher pay and promoted school choice, expanding voucher programs.
- Crime & Policing: Advocated for funding police departments and implemented tougher crime laws.
- Abortion Restrictions: Signed a six-week abortion ban into law, which went into effect after the Roe v. Wade decision was overturned.
- COVID-19 Policies: Opposed vaccine mandates and kept Georgia businesses open earlier than most states during the pandemic.
Key Vetoes
- Mental Health Reform Expansion (2023): Kemp vetoed parts of a bill expanding mental health services, citing budget concerns.
- Proposed Income Tax Credits (2022): Rejected additional tax breaks that he believed would create financial instability for the state.
- Education-Related Bills (2023): Vetoed measures that would have increased state intervention in local school curricula.
Stances on Economic Issues
- Tax Cuts: Kemp has prioritized reducing income taxes, signing a bill in 2022 to lower the state income tax rate incrementally.
- Job Growth: Focused on bringing businesses to Georgia, such as Rivian’s electric vehicle plant and Hyundai’s manufacturing facility.
- Budget Surplus Utilization: Used Georgia’s surplus for tax rebates and infrastructure investment.
- Deregulation: Supported cutting red tape for small businesses and industries.
Stances on Social Issues
- Abortion: Strongly anti-abortion, signing the “Heartbeat Bill” banning most abortions after six weeks.
- LGBTQ+ Rights: Opposed transgender participation in sports and supported restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors.
- Gun Rights: Signed permitless carry legislation, allowing Georgians to carry firearms without a license.
- Education: Backed “parents’ rights” in education, restricting certain race-related teachings in classrooms.
Controversial Statements and Actions
- Election Laws (2021): The Election Integrity Act (SB 202) was widely criticized for allegedly restricting voting rights, particularly for minority voters.
- 2020 Election & Trump Feud: Refused to overturn Georgia’s election results despite pressure from Trump, leading to a major rift with the former president.
- COVID-19 Response: His decision to reopen Georgia businesses early in the pandemic faced criticism from health officials and the White House.
- Gun Laws: The permitless carry law was controversial, with opponents arguing it would increase gun violence.
Conclusion
Brian Kemp has built a solid conservative record as governor, emphasizing economic growth, election security, and social conservatism. His approach to governance has been defined by fiscal conservatism, a pro-business stance, and limited government intervention. However, his policies on voting rights, abortion, and gun laws have sparked significant controversy. Looking ahead, Kemp’s trajectory in Republican politics remains a key point of interest, especially given his national profile in the 2020 election aftermath.
