Trump and Kemp Forge Alliance Ahead of Georgia Elections

In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump commended Georgia Governor Brian Kemp during a rally in Cobb County. This unexpected praise marks a significant shift in their previously strained relationship. Trump expressed his approval of Kemp, stating, “The governor who once was atop has done a really good job leading Georgia.”

This newfound camaraderie comes as early voting begins in Georgia, a state that played a pivotal role in the 2020 presidential elections. The alliance between Trump and Kemp is viewed as a strategic move that could potentially improve Trump’s chances of securing a victory in the state come November.

Kemp’s decision to publicly support Trump is fueled in part by a substantial donation from a pro-Trump megadonor. The governor’s involvement aims to encourage Kemp supporters who previously opposed Trump to rally behind him now. Kemp addressed a Republican gathering, stating, “Look, you may not like Donald Trump personally, but you’ll like his policies a lot better than Kamala Harris’. It’s a business decision. You’re making a business decision.”

The shifting sentiments among Georgia’s split-ticket voters, who backed Kemp but not Trump in 2020, are critical to the Republicans’ strategy. According to Bruce LeVell, a close ally of Trump in Georgia, “A lot of emotions were running hot back then. At the end of the day, we can stay mad at each other or we can unite to win. And that shows a lot of maturity from everyone.”

The alliance was believed to be unlikely following Trump’s criticisms at an Atlanta rally in August, where he reignited tensions by berating Kemp and his family. However, these issues were resolved by late August, largely due to appeals from senior Republicans who argued about the necessity of capturing the support of voters who favored Kemp but turned away from Trump in the previous election.

The importance of this alliance extends beyond the upcoming elections. Political insiders suggest that Kemp, eyeing potential future runs for the U.S. Senate in 2026 or even the presidency in 2028, sees the value of maintaining good relations with Trump. “I don’t know what Brian wants to do for the future, but it only helps him to work with Trump,” noted LeVell, emphasizing Trump’s continued influence over the Republican base.

At a recent rally, with Governor Kemp on a fundraising trip, Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King represented the state at the event, showing his support for Trump. King, who previously faced a Trump-backed opponent, shared the stage with the former president, stating, “This is not about people’s feelings. This is about the country. This is about the state of Georgia. You know what? I appreciate the support of President Trump, but this is bigger than feelings. This is about what’s at stake.”