Republicans are staring at a potentially costly and bitter primary election for Georgia governor that will test the GOP’s resolve in one of the most competitive political battlefields of the 2022 midterm election.
Former Sen. David PerdueDavid PerdueThe Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Uber – New Vaccine Mandate in NYC; Biden Putin Showdown Trump supports David Perdue in the gubernatorial race in Georgia‘s (R-Ga.) entry into the race for governor on Monday resulted in a showdown with Gov. Brian KempBrian KempThe Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Uber – New Vaccination Mandate in NYC; Biden Putin Showdown Trump supports David Perdue in the gubernatorial race in Georgia (R), a conservative arsonist who drew anger Donald Trump
Donald Trump Senate rejects attempt to block Biden’s Saudi arms sales Crenshaw criticizes members of the House Freedom Caucus as “Grifter”, Senate of “performance artists” confirms Biden’s candidate for the head of Customs and Border Protection MORE last year when he refused to undo the former president’s defeat in Georgia’s 2020 election.
The nascent main battle between Kemp and Perdue, which already has Trump’s backing, is a cause for concern among Republicans, who fear a lengthy nomination contest will prepare the party to fight Stacey Abrams, the alleged Democratic candidate for governor, next Year.
“I find it hard to believe that you can have a bitter, bitter Republican primary and then be fully healed and ready to run against a candidate who will leave the field on her side and have the money she needs to go to run, “said Chuck Clay, former Republican Senator and Georgia GOP chairman.
Still, Clay added, “I think this state is – and especially in 2022 – a Republican asset.”
Announcing his campaign for governor on Monday, Perdue previewed how vicious the GOP primary code could get.
He blamed the governor of Georgia for losing the former senator in the January runoff against Senator. Jon Ossoff
Jon OssoffTrump Says The Match Between Perdue And Kemp Will Be “Interesting”, Stopping Just Before Ending The Hill’s 12:30 PM Report – Presented By Facebook – Schumer Remains Confident About The Christmas Deadline For Biden’s Agenda Perdue Announces Application For The Governor of Georgia and puts the primaries against Kemp. one more (D-Ga.), One of two Senate races that gave the Democrats control of the Upper Chamber. He also accused Kemp of failing to stand up for Trump last year when the former president tried to reverse his loss in the presidential election.
“Look, I like Brian. It’s not personal, ”said Perdue. “It’s simple: he failed us all and can’t win in November. Instead of protecting our elections, he gave in to Abrams and cost us two Senate seats, the Senate majority, and gave Joe Biden a free hand. Think how different it would be today if Kemp were to fight Abrams first instead of Trump. “
Kemp’s campaign hit Perdue back, accusing him of running for governor “to soothe his own injured ego because his campaign for the US Senate didn’t inspire voters at the ballot box – twice”.
“The man who lost the United States Senate to the Republicans and brought about the last year of skyrocketing inflation, open borders, runaway government spending, and the demolition culture awakened over the American people, now wants the governor of Georgia lose the national face of the radical left. ” Movement, ”said Cody Hall, communications director and senior advisor at Kemp.
Perdue isn’t the first Republican to challenge Kemp for the GOP nomination, although he’s the most high-profile – and perhaps the most viable. A poll commissioned by Trump’s leadership PAC Save America in August showed that, with the support of former President Kemp, Perdue would lead 41 to 26 percent in a multi-candidate peloton.
In a statement Monday announcing his support for Perdue, Trump railed against Kemp as a “very weak governor” who would lose next year’s general election because the former president’s conservative base “will never vote for him”.
The match between Perdue and Kemp also practically guarantees that Trump and his false claims that widespread electoral fraud cost him the 2020 elections will play a central role in Georgia next year.
Few Republicans are willing to question Kemp’s conservative good faith. An outspoken advocate of conservative positions on everything from immigration to abortion, he garnered political points from many Republicans earlier this year when he introduced controversial new electoral restrictions into the law.
A Republican strategist who worked on the governor’s races said Kemp’s political and ideological record gives Perdue little cause to attack.
“There will be a primaries over Donald Trump and 2020,” said the strategist. “You can’t really argue that Kemp isn’t a real conservative. There will be no real debate about actual politics, and I think that is what makes it so dangerous. “
If there is one silver lining for Republicans, it is that the Democrats will face a variety of challenges nationally in 2022.
The voters have largely become angry President Biden
Joe BidenHouse Adopts Defense Policy Bill 8B House Adopts Bill To Facilitate Adoption Of Debt Limit Increase Senate Rejects Attempt To Block Biden’s Saudi Arms Sales MOREthe work performance of the last few months; Recent polls show that most Americans believe the country is on the wrong track, and many Democrats acknowledge that even senior recruits like Abrams could face tough headwinds over the next year.
At the same time, Abrams himself is a polarizing figure, and firm GOP opposition to her candidacy could help unite a fragmented Republican electorate after a divisive primary campaign.
The governor’s mansion isn’t the only statewide office at stake next year. Sen. Raphael Warnock
Raphael WarnockTrump supports David Perdue in the Georgia gubernatorial race (D-Ga.), Who was elected in a runoff election against the former senator earlier this year. Kelly Loeffler
Kelly LoefflerPerdue challenges Kemp in Georgia in the primary (R-Ga.), Is aiming for a full term in 2022, and the fate of his seat could very well determine the balance of power in the Senate.
Warnock faces a challenge from former soccer star Herschel Walker, who jumped into the race in August and has Trump’s backing. Trump also has Rep. I did Jody
Jody Brownlow HiceA woken up military is no defense at all – why the defense law cannot be passed in its current form Gosar is facing an increasing likelihood of reprimanding in the House of Commons‘s (R-Ga.) offer to overthrow Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who also denied Trump’s requests to overturn the results of the Georgia 2020 presidential election.
Still, many Democrats are optimistic about their chances in the state, especially with the Kemp-Perdue primaries starting.
Tharon Johnson, a Democratic strategist and former senior advisor to Biden’s presidential campaign in Georgia, said Trump’s continued involvement in Republican politics and willingness to meddle in the primaries could motivate Democrats in Georgia in 2022.
Johnson also said that regardless of who wins the Republican primary governor next year, the Kemp-Perdue battle would inevitably damage the candidate. Meanwhile, Abrams, who is not facing any primary opposition, “will be able to speak on the issues that matter to voters in Georgia,” he said.
“It helps because no matter who is nominated governor, that gentleman will be beaten and injured by attacks from his own party,” said Johnson. “So this person – whether it’s David Perdue or Governor Kemp – will take some time to collect himself.”
