Earlier this year, former President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp due to perceived slights, including Kemp’s absence from campaign events and fundraisers. After Kemp’s wife said she would write in her husband’s name for president, rather than vote for Trump, tensions escalated. Trump’s allies advised him not to engage in a feud with Kemp, as it could harm Trump’s prospects in Georgia, a key swing state, but Trump ultimately criticized Kemp during a rally in August, leading to concerns among Republicans about the impact on the upcoming election.
The rift between Trump and Kemp has the potential to impact Trump’s presidential campaign in Georgia, where Kemp wields influence over a strong turnout operation and has a history of assembling a coalition of traditionalist Republicans and independents. Despite efforts to ease tensions, the public criticism from Trump has put pressure on his campaign in Georgia and could make the race more difficult and expensive. With polls showing a close race in Georgia, Republicans fear that Trump’s attacks on Kemp could alienate some voters and complicate his path to victory in the state, which he lost by a narrow margin in 2016.
Trump’s campaign in Georgia has faced challenges with organizing and turnout efforts, in contrast to Kemp’s well-established ground team. Trump’s team is leaning on outside groups to handle canvassing and door-knocking, and has not yet sought help from Kemp’s organization. As the election draws closer, concerns are being raised about the effectiveness of the Trump campaign’s ground game compared to the Democrats, who have invested heavily in grassroots organizing. Despite these challenges, Kemp has stated that his support for Trump remains unchanged and expressed optimism about the possibility of working together for the good of the party and the country.
Republicans in Georgia are hopeful that Trump and Kemp will ultimately reconcile and work together to secure victory for the GOP in the upcoming election. Some believe that their distinct interests align, with Trump needing to win Georgia and Kemp needing to help the state return to the Republican column. However, tensions between the two have continued, with Kemp facing criticism for not actively supporting Trump’s campaign efforts in the state. The Trump campaign remains optimistic about its chances in Georgia and is focused on mobilizing voters through grassroots efforts and targeted messaging.
Despite concerns about the impact of Trump’s feud with Kemp, the Trump campaign is confident in its strategy and the support it has on the ground in Georgia. The campaign has opened multiple offices, held numerous events, and trained volunteers to drive turnout among low- and mid-propensity voters. While there are criticisms of the campaign’s operations and calls for unity with Kemp’s organization, the campaign remains focused on winning in November. Ultimately, the success of the Trump campaign in Georgia may hinge on its ability to both energize the MAGA base and appeal to more traditional Republican voters aligned with Kemp.
