Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp has secured the Republican nomination for governor in his state. He ran his campaign on a pro-firearm, anti-immigration platform — which he made abundant in his campaign videos.
“I got a big truck, just in case I need to round up criminal illegals and take ’em home myself,” he says while sitting in a pick-up truck. He starts the engine and says, “Yup, I just said that.”
He also showed off his firearms, which he said “no one’s taking away.” In a different ad he touted gun rights when he pointed a shotgun at a boy interested in dating his daughter.
Shortly after his victory, President Donald Trump tweeted his support.
Congratulations to Brian Kemp on your very big win in Georgia last night. Wow, 69-30, those are big numbers. Now go win against the open border, crime loving opponent that the Democrats have given you. She is weak on Vets, the Military and the 2nd Amendment. Win!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2018
Kemp’s hardline campaign platform was similar to that of Trump, who endorsed Kemp. His opponent, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, had the endorsement of Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. The race had been close until the president expressed his support for Kemp, seemingly sealing the deal.
Brian Kemp is running for Governor of the great state of Georgia. The Primary is on Tuesday. Brian is tough on crime, strong on the border and illegal immigration. He loves our Military and our Vets and protects our Second Amendment. I give him my full and total endorsement.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2018
Kemp also describes himself as a “politically incorrect conservative” in his ads — similar to Trump’s “I’m not a politician” propaganda.
The Trump-esque candidate will face off against Stacey Adams in November. Adams, a Democrat, is the first Black woman to receive the nomination for governor for any state. In addition to being the first Black female governor in America’s history, she would also be Georgia’s first Democratic governor since 1998.
Kemp reportedly wasted no time tying Abrams to Hillary Clinton, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and others in his victory speech.
“This is the state of Georgia: We are a red state,” he said. “And for that matter, we don’t need the radical left telling us how to live, worship and raise our family.”
Part of “how to live” means banishing gay rights. He said in November that if he succeeds Deal as governor, he would sign anti-LGBT bills that Deal rejected.
“I don’t know what other provisions that may have been in [the bills Deal vetoed]. But I would support a bill that is in line with federal law,”
he reportedly said. “It would be simply codifying what is already in the Constitution.”
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WXIA-TV/SurveyUSA poll conducted earlier this month found that Kemp had a lead of 2 percentage points over Abrams.
