Mike Pence splits with Trump to headline Kemp rally. What does it mean for the GOP?
Former Vice President Mike Pence will headline a rally for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp one day before the May 24 Republican primary — a defiant split with former President Donald Trump, who has aggressively sought to oust Kemp following the 2020 presidential election.
In a statement announcing the rally, Pence called Kemp “one of the most successful conservative governors in America.”
“He built a safer and stronger Georgia by cutting taxes, empowering parents and investing in teachers, funding law enforcement, and standing strong for the right to life. Brian Kemp is my friend, a man dedicated to faith, family and the people of Georgia. I am proud to offer my full support for four more years of Brian Kemp as governor of the great state of Georgia,” Pence said.
Trump endorsed Kemp during a contentious Republican runoff in 2018, but the Georgia governor refused to take steps toward overturning the 2020 election after Trump lost the state by roughly 12,000 votes. Kemp drew Trump’s ire over the refusal, and the fallout split the party.
Trump backed former U.S. Senator David Perdue in a bid to unseat Kemp. In April, Trump made his first major financial investment in a midterm race when his Save America PAC transferred $500,000 to an anti-Kemp PAC, Politico reported.
Yet, Kemp has managed to stay well ahead of Perdue in the polls and may completely avoid a runoff. Kemp is above 50% and maintains a 22-point lead over Perdue, according to polling averages from Real Clear Politics.
Jenni Sweat, a Perdue spokesperson, criticized the rally announcement in a statement to the Ledger-Enquirer.
“Kemp’s parade of RINOs is an embarrassing move by an embattled Governor,” she said. “Kemp’s decision to campaign with folks who are actively attacking President Trump and the America First agenda will only help Perdue, who is experiencing a surge and will pull Kemp into a runoff.”
Brian Robinson, a Republican political consultant and former spokesperson for Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, said the Trump and Pence split could have implications for the 2024 presidential election.
“It’s of high symbolic value that Pence sided with a political candidate who has been Trump’s white whale,” Robinson said. “Trump has made it very clear that Kemp is a top target for him. ...Pence isn’t wading into a scenario where he could help tip the balance. The balance is already tipped. It’s about him sending a signal nationally that he is his own man.”
Pence is not the only prominent Republican figure who will campaign on Kemp’s behalf.
Former President George W. Bush will headline a Texas fundraiser. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey will also make several stops in the metro Atlanta area ahead of the May 24 election, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
In a statement, Kemp thanked Pence for his support. The location for the May 23 Pence rally has not been released.
“The Vice President’s leadership was instrumental in creating the most prosperous economy in American history, including here in Georgia, and his commitment to building a safer, stronger America represents the highest ideals of our party,” Kemp said. “We could not be more grateful for his friendship to our family and state, and we look forward to welcoming him back to the campaign trail in Georgia.”
This story was originally published May 13, 2022 at 12:44 PM.