Governor Brian Kemp is the 83rd Governor of the state of Georgia, serving since January 2019. Born on November 2, 1963, in Athens, Georgia, Kemp grew up in a prominent farming family in Wilkinson County, Georgia. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Georgia in 1987. After college, Kemp worked in the agriculture and construction industries before entering politics.
Early Political Career
Kemp’s entry into politics began in 2002 when he was elected to the Georgia State Senate, representing the 46th district. During his time in the Senate, he served on several committees, including the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, the Economic Development Committee, and the Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security Committee. In 2010, Kemp was appointed as the Secretary of State of Georgia by Governor Sonny Perdue, a position he held until 2018.
Secretary of State and Election Reform
As Secretary of State, Kemp was responsible for overseeing elections in Georgia. During his tenure, he implemented various election reform measures, including the implementation of voter ID laws and the creation of an online voter registration system. Kemp’s efforts to reform the election process were aimed at increasing voter participation and reducing the risk of voter fraud. However, some of his policies, such as the “exact match” law, which required voter registration applications to exactly match the information on file with the state, were met with controversy and lawsuits.
| Year | Election | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Georgia State Senate | Senator, 46th district |
| 2010 | Secretary of State | Appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue |
| 2018 | Governor of Georgia | Elected as the 83rd Governor |
Governorship and Key Initiatives
Since taking office, Governor Kemp has focused on various initiatives, including economic development, education reform, and public health. One of his key priorities has been to attract new businesses to Georgia, with a focus on the film and television production industry. Kemp has also worked to improve the state’s education system, including the implementation of a teacher pay raise and the expansion of vocational training programs.
COVID-19 Response and Public Health
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges for Governor Kemp’s administration. In response to the crisis, Kemp has implemented various measures, including emergency declarations, stay-at-home orders, and vaccination efforts. Despite facing criticism for his handling of the pandemic, Kemp has continued to prioritize public health, investing in contact tracing programs and hospital capacity expansion.
Governor Kemp's leadership has been shaped by his experiences in agriculture, construction, and politics. His commitment to economic growth, education reform, and public health has defined his governorship, and he continues to work towards building a stronger, more resilient Georgia.
What are Governor Kemp’s top priorities for his administration?
+Governor Kemp’s top priorities include economic development, education reform, and public health. He has focused on attracting new businesses to Georgia, improving the state’s education system, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is Governor Kemp’s stance on election reform?
+Governor Kemp has prioritized election reform, implementing measures such as voter ID laws and online voter registration. However, some of his policies have been met with controversy and lawsuits, with critics arguing that they restrict voting access.
How has Governor Kemp responded to the COVID-19 pandemic?
+Governor Kemp has implemented various measures in response to the pandemic, including emergency declarations, stay-at-home orders, and vaccination efforts. Despite facing criticism, he has continued to prioritize public health, investing in contact tracing programs and hospital capacity expansion.
