Former GOP Georgia Senator David Perdue Plans to Announce Gubernatorial Key Challenge to Kemp, According to Report
Perdue’s tentative announcement represents a blow back to politics for the one-term former senator. His re-election strategy was thwarted by Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in a crucial January sprint, a shameful loss for Republicans, who have lost Senate after losing both seats in Georgia.
CNN has reached out to Perdue advisers who will not comment on whether Perdue will launch a gubernatorial campaign in 2022.
Two Georgia Republican camps have begun trading prongs.
A Perdue spokesman said in a statement to CNN, “If Brian Kemp fought (Democratic candidate) Stacey Abrams as hard as he fought Perdue and Trump, we wouldn’t be in a situation this mess.”
Kemp’s campaign spokesman, Cody Hall, said in a statement Sunday that “Perdue’s sole reason for running was to appease his own bruised ego, because the campaign was in His US Senate failed to inspire voters at the polls – twice.”
“The man who lost the Republican US Senate and sent inflation skyrocketing last year, opened borders, fled government spending, and destroyed the culture of the American people now wants to lose his job.” governor of Georgia into the hands of the national face of the extreme left. moving,” Hall said.
Kemp noted last week that Perdue told him earlier this year that he would support the governor’s re-election.
“Look, all I know is what Sen. Perdue told me, I hope he’s going to keep his word, but then again, that’s not anything I have.” controllable,” the governor said.
Republicans fear that a divisive primaries, especially with Trump’s run against the incumbent, could give momentum to Democrats in Georgia, the country that has emerged as a important national battlefield in recent years.
Trump’s anger at Kemp is so deep that he has at times praised Abrams while attacking the governor. Speaking in Georgia earlier this year, Trump said of Kemp, “Stacey, do you want to take his place? I’m fine.”
CNN’s Michael Warren, David Wright and Devon Sayers contributed to this report.