Trump and Kemp split in Georgia GOP runoff battles
President Donald Trump and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp enter Tuesday’s Republican runoff elections as both allies and rivals, backing the same candidate in the governor’s race while at odds in a closely watched Senate showdown that will test the competing power centers inside the Georgia GOP.
TL;DR
- President Trump and Governor Kemp are allies and rivals in Georgia's Republican runoff elections.
- They support the same candidate in the governor's race (Burt Jones) but are at odds in the Senate race.
- Trump endorsed Rep. Mike Collins, while Kemp backed Derek Dooley in the Senate runoff.
- The relationship between Trump and Kemp has been complicated since Kemp's refusal to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results.
- The governor's race has largely overshadowed the Senate contest due to extensive spending by candidate Rick Jackson.
- Turnout operations are expected to be crucial in determining the outcomes of both races, given the potential for low voter participation.
- The runoff results will test the influence of Trump's MAGA movement against Kemp's statewide political machine.