A Georgia Republican said on April 1 that he’s running in the 2022 gubernatorial race in an attempt to unseat Gov. Brian Kemp.
Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King, who says he’s the first Hispanic statewide official in state history, is primarying Kemp, whose approval ratings dropped sharply amid a public spat with then-President Donald Trump last year.
King, a former police officer and police chief, said in a statement that he’s not a politician, but a soldier, a lawman, and a public servant.
“To keep Georgia competitive, we must lower health care costs and insurance rates. To keep hardworking Georgians safe, we must continue to hold fraudsters and arsonists accountable. Now, more than ever, we must stand up for our conservative, Georgia values, support law enforcement, and the military. We must put Georgia families ahead of politics and the special interests,” he said.
King plans a statewide tour soon, with a campaign rally in Rome before traveling to various cities and towns, including Savannah and Macon.
Kemp appointed King in 2019. At the time, the governor called him “a decorated soldier, passionate community advocate, and devoted law enforcement leader with decades of experience.”
Kemp is expected to run for a second term and Kandiss Taylor, a teacher, said in January that she’s running in the GOP primary.
Kemp received support from Trump in 2018 and went on to beat Democrat nominee Stacey Abrams. But Trump soured on Kemp in the aftermath of the 2020 election, as the former president accused the governor of not taking control of what he alleged was a rigged election.
President Joe Biden was the first Democrat to win the southern state since Bill Clinton in 1996, on his way to an Electoral College triumph over Trump. Republicans also lost both U.S. Senate races, ceding control of the upper chamber to Democrats.
Former Georgia Rep. Vernon Jones and former Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) are among those considered to be potential Kemp primary challengers, along with former NFL player Herschel Walker.
Abrams’ allies have suggested she may run again. Abrams maintains she won the 2018 election.
Rep. Jody Hice (R-Ga.), meanwhile, is taking on Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who repeatedly went back-and-forth post-election with Trump.
Hice announced his bid late last month and quickly earned an endorsement from the former president.
