November Surprise: Top Georgia Dem Snubs Stacey Abrams, Endorses Republican Brian Kemp
A top Democrat in Georgia has snubbed his party’s gubernatorial nominee, Stacey Abrams, and endorsed incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, Burt Jones.
Former Congressman and Atlanta Democrat Kwanza Hall shocked the state with his endorsement of the two Republican candidates for Georgia’s top state offices in the 2022 midterm election.
Hall said: “Over the last four years, I’ve witnessed Governor Kemp make tough decisions – ones that weren’t always popular at the time – in unprecedented circumstances.
“While we don’t agree on every issue, it’s abundantly clear that Brian Kemp is a man of character, a strong leader, and someone who Georgians can trust to put them and their interests first.
Just in: Democrat Kwanza Hall, the leading vote-getter in the first round of the LG primary, endorses Brian Kemp and Burt Jones in surprise move #gapol https://t.co/P9HLNirCOy
— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) November 4, 2022
“Burt is the only candidate in the race with a plan to invest in our communities, lower costs, improve our K-12 education system and reduce crime,” Hall said.
Hall was one of the candidates running to be the Democrats’ nominee for lieutenant governor this year and came in first place in the primary but lost in the runoff to Charlie Bailey.
Kemp said:
“I greatly appreciate Congressman Hall’s support in this campaign.
“Kwanza has ably served our capital city and state for many years, and I look forward to working with him and other hardworking Georgians to put political differences aside and keep our state the best place to live, work, and raise a family for the next four years.”
“I look forward to continuing to work with leaders like Kwanza and others in a bipartisan way to create more opportunities for hardworking Georgians and continue to make our state the best place to live, work and raise a family,” Jones said.
According to Fox News:
“Hall is also a former member of the Atlanta City Council, and briefly served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Georgia’s 5th Congressional District following the death of former Democratic Rep. John Lewis, who represented the seat.”
🚨 Former Democrat Congressman and Lieutenant Governor candidate Kwanza Hall has endorsed our campaign!
— Burt Jones (@burtjonesforga) November 4, 2022
I'm proud to have his support, and look forward to continuing to work with leaders like Kwanza in a bipartisan way to create more opportunities for every Georgia family! pic.twitter.com/58WdWQ7cEu