Brian Kemp announced today that he is, as was speculated, running for the GA-47 seat vacated by Ralph Hudgens, who announced on the day of Charlie Norwood’s death that he was running for the barely-late Congressman’s seat.
The highest profile of Kemp’s endorsers is Lt. Gov Casey Cagle. 34 other state Senators have also lent their support to their former colleague, including Hudgens.
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The question is not “will Kemp win?” The question is “Will Kemp get above or below 67%?”
SevenHillsDem-
The question isn’t if you are a douche – the question is how much of a douche are you?
I may be a douche, but Jeff, other than the dormant website, where is the info on the endorsements? I don’t doubt you, just some verification please.
Bowersville,
Below is a press release his team sent out.
News Release
_____________________________________
February 19, 2007 Contact: Brian Kemp
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fmr. Senator Brian Kemp Announces for Senate District 47
Former State Senator Brian Kemp (R-Athens) announced today that he will run as a Republican for the open State Senate District 47 seat being vacated by Senator Ralph Hudgens (R-Comer). Hudgens has announced his bid for the 10th Congressional District Seat open due to the death of Congressman Charlie Norwood.
The 47th Senate District is comprised of Barrow County, Oglethorpe County, Madison County and parts of Jackson, Elbert, and Clarke Counties.
Said Kemp, “I’m running to provide effective leadership on the issues that matter to the families of our district and our entire state. In my past service in the State Senate, I have represented parts of Jackson, Barrow, Madison, Oglethorpe and Clarke Counties. I look forward to serving the people of these great communities once again in the State Senate.”
Kemp’s campaign for Senate District 47 has already garnered the endorsement of Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and every Republican member of the State Senate including incumbent Senator Ralph Hudgens. (Listed below.)
Said Kemp, “It’s an honor to have such strong support from my friends in the General Assembly. It’s a statement of their confidence in my proven leadership. I will be announcing many more endorsements in the coming days.”
Kemp served two terms in the State Senate, during which time he served as the Chair of the Public Safety & Homeland Security, the Vice-Chair of the Higher Education, the Secretary of the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, and a member of the Appropriations Senate Committees. In 2006, Kemp ran for Agriculture Commissioner but did not receive the Republican nomination. The 2005 redistricting placed Kemp in the new State Senate District 47 currently held by Ralph Hudgens.
Brian Kemp is the owner of Kemp Properties, a small business specializing in property management in Clarke County, and is the co-owner of Specialty Stone Supply in Jackson County. A native Georgian, Brian Kemp is a graduate of Georgia’s public schools and of the University of Georgia where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Agriculture. Kemp, 43, and his wife, Marty, reside on their farm on the Clarke-Madison county line. They are the proud parents of three daughters. The Kemps are members of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Athens.
In the coming weeks, Kemp will launch his new campaign website, http://www.votebriankemp.com . The campaign will host a Campaign Kick Off event in March.
Kemp Endorsments as of February 19, 2007:
Lt. Governor Casey Cagle
Senator Don Balfour
Senator John Bulloch
Senator Joseph Carter
Senator Bill Cowsert
Senator Lee Hawkins
Senator Ronnie Chance
Senator Jeff Chapman
Senator John Douglas
Senator Bill Hamrick
Senator Seth Harp
Senator Bill Heath
Senator Jack Hill
Senator Judson Hill
Senator Ralph Hudgens
Senator Greg Goggans
Senator Johnny Grant
Senator Eric Johnson
Senator Dan Moody
Senator Jeff Mullis
Senator Chip Pearson
Senator Chip Rogers
Senator Nancy Schaefer
Senator Mitch Seabaugh
Senator David Shafer
Senator Preston Smith
Senator Cecil Staton
Senator Jack Murphy
Senator Don Thomas
Senator Ross Tolleson
Senator Renee Unterman
Senator Jim Whitehead
Senator Tommie Williams
Senator Dan Weber
Senator John Wiles
Sorry, B-ville, but I didn’t want to post the whole release. Perhaps I should have put it below the fold.
Thanks guys. This race is not as one sided as some believe (Fogle, Erick, et al).
Looks like the opposition for Hudgens is trying to squelch the opposition! LOL, read that smiley face thingy here.
Yeah, press releases are about as interesting to read as a 1995 issue of Prevention…
I am glad to see Senator Kemp is working hard to get back in the Senate. I thought he previously served the Athens area very well and I am certain he will do so again.
Im very happy he is going to come back, Georgia has only seen the begining of Brian Kemp.
…and hopefully the political end of Ralph Hudgens.
I know it’s a bit unorthodox to point this out, but I can’t help but note that none of the “Kemp Endorsments as of February 19, 2007″ actually live in his Senate District. As such, I am left to wonder why that matters.
I’m not criticizing Mr. Kemp here. I’ve been impressed the few times I heard him speak (which was during his run for Ag Commissioner). But the only endorsements that should mean anything–in this or any race–are endorsements from future constituents, not future colleagues.
I see this trend of getting endorsements from outside one’s district growing each year, and I don’t think it’s good for the whole principle behind the form of representative government we have.
and DUH, Lyman…shush ’till they qualify for the 1oth.’ Give Kemp a chance.
It is great to hear that Brian is running. He is a fine man.
Burdell,
I think the idea is to come on strong at the beginning of the campaign and discourage anyone who is considering running against you. Kemp probably went after the state senators first and will do his work now to get the local support.
I’d say Kemp’s got a pretty good jump on the race, and the support of all those senators will only help him raise money and gain additional support at home.
Brian Kemp is a great guy. I am thrilled that he decided to throw his hat in the ring!
All of you are full of it, I’m pro Kemp, but folks, shut up. I live in the 10th!
Burdell: yes they do. Ralph Hudgens. And, as all of these are state senators, it’s impossible for more than one to come from his district.
So the rumor of his stirring around the Capitol two weeks ago seeking supporters was true. Judging from the list above, it appears he made haste not waste.
Looks like he is headed back to being gainfully employed again.
lol..Amen Lyman!
Water boy, what’s that rumor? Where you from, Commerce?
Its great to have Kemp back in the game and he will do a fine job once back in the Senate.
It is also nice to see Grose on board with Kemp,I did enjoy debating him during the Ag race,primarily because he knew what he was talking about and not just spewing campaign rhertoric,but am glad we are on the same team on this one.
Waterboy you are still an idiot and need to get a life.
Kemp will do well. He is well liked. I liked Kemp but supported Black for Ag Commissioner because I thought Gary had the experience for the job. I do hope Gary runs again in 2010 for Ag Commissioner.
Jeff,
I stand corrected. I didn’t see Sen. Hudgens’ name the first time. Good catch.
I think Mr. Kemp will do a great job representing his district. I still don’t like the idea of getting so many out-of-district endorsements, though.
I think it has more to do with getting the GOP contingent of the state senate to support him, than to round up folks specifically from outside the district.
I have no doubt that there will be more, from within. I think Kemp’ll be pretty tough to beat in the 47th.
landman -
sorry for the late response…been on the road.
Your Kemp fettish is downright disgusting. Good luck with that.
Debbie, I talked to Gary at the Governor’s Inaguration..he seemed like he was seriously considering another run, I hope he does as well..Plus Tommy Irvin is throwing in the towel, so Gary would be a shoe in.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0307/3068.html
looks like hudgens isn’t leaving after all–nothing for kemp to run for…
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