Brian Kemp

Brian Kemp
Kemp in 2023
Brian Kemp
Born	Brian Porter Kemp 2 11, 1963
Birthplace	Athens, Georgia, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman
Known for	83rd Governor of Georgia
Education	University of Georgia (BS)
Children	3
Website	[[[:Template:Official website]] Official site]

Brian Porter Kemp (born November 2, 1963) is an American politician and businessman who has served as the 83rd governor of Georgia since January 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Kemp's political career has spanned more than two decades, including service in the Georgia State Senate, a lengthy tenure as Secretary of State of Georgia, and two successful gubernatorial campaigns. Before entering public life, he built a career in agriculture, financial services, and real estate in Georgia. Kemp's governorship has been defined by his responses to several major national events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the contested 2020 presidential election in Georgia, and significant legislative changes to the state's election laws. He is notable as the first Republican since Reconstruction to be elected governor of Georgia who had not previously been a member of the Democratic Party. His tenure has been marked by economic development initiatives, including major manufacturing investments across rural Georgia, and by a complex political relationship with former President Donald Trump that became a defining feature of Georgia Republican politics in the early 2020s.

Early Life

Brian Porter Kemp was born on November 2, 1963, in Athens, Georgia. He was raised in Georgia and developed ties to the state's agricultural and business communities. Before entering politics, Kemp operated several businesses in the fields of agriculture, financial services, and real estate. These business ventures gave him a foundation in private-sector enterprise that would later inform his political platform and policy priorities as both secretary of state and governor.

Kemp's family connections in Georgia politics would become notable in later years. His brother-in-law, Bill Cowsert, succeeded him in the Georgia State Senate representing the 46th district after Kemp's departure in 2007. His father-in-law, Bob Argo, was also a figure in the state's political and civic life.

Education

Kemp attended the University of Georgia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. The University of Georgia, located in Athens — Kemp's birthplace — is the state's flagship public university and one of the oldest public universities in the United States. His education there grounded him in the civic and institutional life of the state he would later govern.

Career

Georgia State Senate (2003–2007)

Kemp's career in elected office began with the Georgia State Senate. In 2002, he ran for the 46th district seat and won, succeeding Doug Haines. He served one term in the state senate, from January 3, 2003, to January 3, 2007. During his time in the legislature, Kemp was part of a growing Republican presence in Georgia state politics, as the party continued its realignment in the traditionally Democratic South.

After his term in the state senate, Kemp sought the Republican nomination for commissioner of the Georgia Department of Agriculture in 2006 but was unsuccessful in the primary election. His seat in the state senate was subsequently filled by his brother-in-law, Bill Cowsert.

Secretary of State of Georgia (2010–2018)

In January 2010, Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Kemp as the 27th Secretary of State of Georgia, succeeding Karen Handel, who had resigned to run for governor. Kemp was elected to a full term as secretary of state in the November 2010 general election. He was subsequently reelected in 2014, serving under Governors Perdue and Nathan Deal.

As secretary of state, Kemp oversaw the administration of elections in Georgia, corporate filings, and professional licensing. His tenure in this role became the subject of significant public attention and controversy on several occasions.

2015 Voter Data Breach

In 2015, Kemp faced criticism after a data breach exposed the personal information of more than six million Georgia voters. The breach resulted in the transmission of sensitive voter data — including Social Security numbers and dates of birth — to 12 organizations, including political parties and media outlets. The incident raised questions about data security practices within the secretary of state's office and prompted calls for improved safeguards for voter information.

2016 Election and Federal Cybersecurity

During the 2016 election cycle, amid growing concerns about Russian interference in American elections, the United States Department of Homeland Security offered assistance to state election officials to help secure voting systems against potential cyberattacks. Kemp was the only state official in the country to reject this federal assistance. In October 2016, the U.S. government formally accused Russia of orchestrating the theft of emails from the Democratic National Committee and other political organizations.

Kemp stated that Georgia's voting systems were safe from hackers and that the state was capable of managing its own election security without federal intervention. His decision drew scrutiny from cybersecurity experts and political observers, particularly after a 2018 report by Politico raised questions about the vulnerability of Georgia's voting infrastructure.

2018 Gubernatorial Campaign

In 2018, Kemp entered the race for governor of Georgia, seeking the Republican nomination. His campaign focused on conservative themes including immigration enforcement, gun rights, and deregulation. He won the Republican primary and advanced to face Democratic nominee Stacey Abrams in the general election.

Controversy Over Dual Role

A central controversy of the 2018 race was Kemp's refusal to resign as secretary of state while simultaneously running for governor. As secretary of state, Kemp was the chief elections officer responsible for overseeing the very election in which he was a candidate. Democrats and voting rights organizations accused Kemp of a conflict of interest and abuse of power, arguing that he could use his position to influence the outcome of the election. Kemp rejected these accusations and maintained that he carried out his duties impartially.

Election Results and Aftermath

The general election was closely contested. Kemp won with a narrow margin over Abrams. Georgia certified its election results after a period of uncertainty and public dispute. Kemp resigned as secretary of state shortly after the election was certified, and Robyn Crittenden was named as his successor.

Abrams refused to concede the election and accused Kemp of voter suppression, pointing to purges of voter rolls, the closure of polling places, and the rejection of absentee ballots under his watch as secretary of state. Kemp denied the allegations. Subsequent analyses by news outlets and political science researchers found no evidence that voter suppression affected the outcome of the race.

First Term as Governor (2019–2023)

Kemp was inaugurated as the 83rd governor of Georgia on January 14, 2019, succeeding Nathan Deal. Geoff Duncan served as his lieutenant governor during the first term.

COVID-19 Pandemic Response

Kemp's first term was significantly shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. His administration opposed face mask mandates and stay-at-home orders, and Kemp took the further step of prohibiting local governments in Georgia from implementing stricter public health measures than those set by the state. This approach drew both praise from those who favored minimal government restrictions on businesses and daily life, and criticism from public health officials and local leaders who argued that the state's response was insufficient to contain the spread of the virus.

2020 Presidential Election and Conflict with Donald Trump

The 2020 presidential election placed Kemp at the center of a national political firestorm. Joe Biden narrowly won the state of Georgia, marking the first Democratic presidential victory in the state since 1992. Following the election, President Donald Trump repeatedly made false claims of widespread voter fraud in Georgia and pressured state officials to overturn the results.

Kemp followed Georgia state law and certified the election results as required, a decision that earned him sustained criticism from Trump and his supporters. Trump publicly attacked Kemp on multiple occasions and called for his defeat in the 2022 Republican primary. Kemp maintained that he had upheld his constitutional duties and the rule of law.

Election Integrity Act of 2021

In 2021, Kemp signed into law Senate Bill 202, known as the Election Integrity Act of 2021. The law made a number of changes to Georgia's election procedures. Among its provisions, the act expanded early in-person voting opportunities and increased the state government's authority over local election officials. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and civil rights organizations, characterized the law as a voter suppression measure, particularly in its restrictions on absentee voting and its provisions granting the state legislature greater oversight of local election administration. Supporters, including Kemp, argued that the law strengthened election security and public confidence in the voting process.

2022 Reelection Campaign

Kemp faced a primary challenge in 2022 from former U.S. Senator David Perdue, who received the endorsement of Donald Trump. Trump's support for Perdue was widely interpreted as retaliation for Kemp's certification of the 2020 election results. Despite the high-profile endorsement, Kemp defeated Perdue in a landslide in the Republican primary, demonstrating his strong standing among Georgia Republican voters.

In the general election, Kemp faced a rematch with Stacey Abrams. Kemp won by a wider margin than in 2018, and Abrams conceded defeat on election night. The decisive victory was seen as a validation of Kemp's record as governor and his ability to maintain broad support within the Republican electorate even while at odds with the party's most prominent national figure.

Second Term as Governor (2023–present)

Kemp began his second term as governor in January 2023, with Burt Jones serving as lieutenant governor. His second term has continued to focus on economic development, particularly in rural parts of the state.

Economic Development

Kemp's administration has pursued a strategy of attracting manufacturing and industrial investment to Georgia, with particular emphasis on rural communities. In February 2026, the governor announced that Dongwon Autopart Technology plans to invest $30 million in a new production facility in Emanuel County, bringing an estimated 200 new jobs to the area. Around the same time, his office announced a $17.6 million investment by Preciball USA in a new production facility in Screven County.

In January 2026, Kemp announced the third round of grants from the Rural Site Development Initiative, a program designed to prepare rural communities to attract industrial and commercial investment by developing infrastructure at potential business sites.

Emergency Management

In January 2026, Kemp declared a statewide state of emergency and activated the State Operations Center ahead of Winter Storm Fern, which was projected to bring significant winter weather impacts across Georgia.

Republican Governors Association

In November 2024, Kemp was elected chair of the Republican Governors Association, succeeding Tennessee Governor Bill Lee in the role. The position placed Kemp in a national leadership role within the Republican Party and raised his profile among party officials and donors across the country.

Political Influence

As of early 2026, Kemp has been involved in Georgia's U.S. Senate race, supporting a political newcomer in the Republican primary to challenge Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Kemp has been backing the candidacy despite the candidate's reported struggles in the early stages of the campaign.

Federal-State Relations

Kemp has continued to participate in national governance forums. In February 2026, he attended the 32nd Plenary Meeting of the Council of Governors in Washington, D.C., which was held in conjunction with meetings of the National Governors Association.

Personal Life

Brian Kemp and his wife, Marty, have three children. The family has resided at the Georgia Governor's Mansion during Kemp's time in office. Kemp's brother-in-law, Bill Cowsert, has also been active in Georgia politics, having served in the Georgia State Senate representing the 46th district — the same seat Kemp held from 2003 to 2007.

Before entering politics full-time, Kemp was involved in several business ventures in agriculture, financial services, and real estate, maintaining strong ties to the state's business community throughout his political career.

Recognition

Kemp's election as the 83rd governor of Georgia was noted for its historical significance: he became the first Republican since Reconstruction to win the Georgia governorship without having previously served as a Democrat, reflecting the completion of a decades-long political realignment in the state.

His decisive victory in the 2022 Republican primary over a Trump-endorsed challenger received national attention as evidence of his political strength and independence within the party. His subsequent general election win by a wider margin than in 2018 was interpreted by political observers as a consolidation of his political position.

Kemp's election as chair of the Republican Governors Association in November 2024 further elevated his national standing within the Republican Party, providing him a platform to influence gubernatorial races and party strategy across the country.

Legacy

As of 2026, Kemp remains in office and his legacy continues to develop. His governorship has been defined by several major episodes: the COVID-19 pandemic and his resistance to mandates; the 2020 presidential election and his refusal to overturn the certified results despite intense pressure from Donald Trump; the passage of the Election Integrity Act of 2021; and a sustained focus on economic development, particularly in rural Georgia.

Kemp's relationship with Donald Trump became one of the most closely watched dynamics in Republican politics during the early 2020s. His decision to certify the 2020 election results and his subsequent primary victory over a Trump-backed challenger positioned him as a figure who maintained his standing within the Republican base while diverging from Trump on a matter of central political significance. His political trajectory has been cited in discussions about the future direction of the Republican Party and the degree to which elected officials can chart independent courses from national party leaders.

His emphasis on rural economic development — through programs such as the Rural Site Development Initiative and the attraction of manufacturing investments to smaller Georgia counties — represents a central policy priority of his administration. The long-term economic impact of these investments remains to be assessed as his second term continues.