Earlier this year, Donald Trump was privately upset with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. Trump felt slighted because Kemp didn’t attend campaign events or fundraisers, despite Trump’s belief that he helped Kemp win his 2018 primary.
On a flight back to Florida in April, Trump complained about Kemp’s absence, especially after Kemp’s wife, Marty, said she might write in her husband’s name for president instead of voting for Trump. Trump called her comments “terrible” and sought advice on how to respond, but his allies urged him to avoid escalating the situation, fearing it might hurt Trump’s chances in Georgia.
Republicans in Georgia were working to ease tensions between Trump and Kemp ahead of the November election. At a fundraiser in April, Trump donor Bill White asked GOP donors if anyone could help make peace with Kemp, but no progress was made. By August, at a rally in Atlanta, Trump publicly criticized Kemp, calling him “a bad guy,” “disloyal,” and “a very average governor,” which worried Trump’s allies.
Kemp controls a strong voter turnout operation in Georgia, which Trump needs to win the state. After the rally, some Republicans feared Trump’s attack on Kemp might harm his campaign. Trump’s campaign is now pouring millions into Georgia, but polls show a close race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, who has replaced Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket.
Despite Trump’s efforts, some Republicans in Georgia are concerned that his feud with Kemp might damage his chances. Kemp has his own successful ground team, which helped him easily win reelection in 2022, but Trump’s campaign has struggled to match the Democratic Party’s turnout efforts.
Kemp has stated that despite the conflict, he still plans to support the Republican nominee, whoever it may be. Some believe that Trump and Kemp will eventually have to work together to avoid another defeat in Georgia.
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