Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has ruled out joining the crowded field of Republican candidates vying to gain the GOP nomination for the 2024 presidential election.
Comments from Kemp over the Republican party and former President Donald Trump drew surprise from a CNN host this week.
What Happened: Trump continued to dominate the large list of Republican candidates fighting for the party’s nomination. The latest Morning Consult poll shows a 35-point lead by Trump over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
While several governors and former governors have entered the election race, Kemp told CNN host Kaitlan Collins he is not joining the 2024 presidential race.
“I got a great job right now,” Kemp said. “Having more people in the race does not help us win and beat Joe Biden.”
Kemp told Collins that the Republican presidential race has been pretty stagnant based on national polls, but there is still a lot of time left.
When asked why fellow governor Ron DeSantis hasn’t fared better in polls, Kemp shared his take.
“I think Ron was in a pretty tough place when he got in the race. Didn’t have anywhere to go but down.”
During the interview, Kemp criticized current President Joe Biden and the Democratic administration.
“Joe Biden’s been such a bad president. His approval ratings are just terrible in the state of Georgia.”
Kemp told Collins that the road to the White House runs through the state of Georgia.
One key takeaway from Kemp for the Republican party and presidential candidates was to be forward-looking and tell people where the country is headed, not criticizing where it’s been or commenting on the 2020 election. “We can’t be looking in the rearview mirror,” Kemp said.
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No Love Lost for Donald Trump?: As governor of Georgia, Kemp was asked by Trump not to certify the results of the 2020 election. As Trump argued that there was fraud in the state of Georgia, Kemp certified the results.
Trump called Kemp “hapless” and publicly spoke out against the governor saying he was sorry he ever supported him.
Kemp told Collins he will support a Republican no matter who it is, even if it is Trump. The governor said all the Republican candidates running are better than Biden.
Collins reminded Kemp of the comments from Trump and asked how he could still support a candidate like this given the circumstances.
“He was mad at me,” Kemp said.
Kemp added that he followed the law and constitution at the time.
“That’s a lot bigger than Donald Trump.”
Kemp said he believed Trump can win the state of Georgia and win the 2024 election.
Collins reminded Kemp that he said at a donor event recently that no one would vote for a candidate who said the 2020 election was stolen, but the frontrunner Trump continues to do so.
“I think if he continues to do that, he’s going to lose Georgia in November. People are not worried about the past.”
Read Next: Biden Increases Lead Over Trump And DeSantis
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