Republican Kemp to be sworn in as Georgia’s 83rd governor
Posted January 14, 2019 2:04 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
ATLANTA — As Republican Brian Kemp prepared to be sworn in as Georgia’s 83rd governor on Monday, state Democrats showed they aren’t ready to put the rancorous election behind them.
Democratic Party of Georgia chair DuBose Porter issued a statement calling Kemp’s inauguration a “dark day in Georgia’s history.”
Kemp, who doubled as Georgia’s chief elections officer during his campaign , has vehemently denied accusations of voter suppression, pointing to record-setting voter registration numbers.
But Porter’s statement calls Kemp’s victory over Democrat Stacey Abrams illegitimate and slams his campaign as “built on hate.”
A political group Abrams founded is challenging the way Georgia elections are run in federal court, alleging “gross mismanagement” under Kemp.
Kemp rose from underdog status as Georgia secretary of state to clinch a Republican primary runoff with tough talk on immigration and a nod from President Donald Trump.
Kemp has promised to pursue conservative policies as governor, including tough abortion restrictions and a “religious freedom” bill that critics say would damage the state’s economy by allowing discrimination against gay and lesbian citizens.
Kemp is 56 and a native of Athens, Georgia. He and his wife, Marty, have three teenage daughters.
The Associated Press
