Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp has successfully fought off Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams for a second time, securing four more years in office.
Kemp, who was a developer before serving as a state senator and secretary of state, managed to clinch another term despite attacks from former President Donald Trump that threatened to snuff out support in his own party.
"It looks like the reports of my political death have been greatly exaggerated," Kemp told his supporters Tuesday night from his election headquarters at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Cobb County. ""Each day of this race, we talked about how Marty and the girls and I think we live in the best state in this country--to live, work and raise our families. And we all know that my opponent disagreed. But looking at the results tonight, we made sure that Stacey Abrams is not going to be our governor or your next president."
"I am doing the responsible thing, I am suspending my campaign for governor," Abrams told her supporters Tuesday night. "While I may have not crossed the finish line, that doesn't mean that I won't stop running for a better Georgia."
Kemp, 59, seemed on shaky ground among Republicans after the 2020 presidential election, when Trump blamed him for not doing enough to overturn President Joe Biden’s narrow win in Georgia. Trump helped lure former U.S. Sen. David Perdue into a primary challenge to Kemp, whom he called a "complete and total failure".
"I can't tell you how honored I am to be your governor for the next four years. You have honored us beyond measure with your vote, with your support, with your time and with your resources. Most importantly though, you have honored us with your prayers and our whole family is grateful for that," Kemp said Tuesday night. "As you all know, there were a lot of people in high places who thought tonight's victory would never happen. But like so many times before, you all and Team Kemp proved them wrong."