President Donald Trump isn't wasting time jumping into what will be a highly publicized governor's race, sending a congratulatory tweet Wednesday to Brian Kemp, while also taking a swipe at Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams.
In the tweet, Trump, who endorsed Kemp last week in the Republican runoff against Casey Cagle, applauded the Secretary of State for his landslide win Tuesday night ("Wow, 69-30, those are big numbers") and then provided marching orders: "Now go win against the open border, crime loving opponent that the Democrats have given you. She is weak on Vets, the Military and the 2nd Amendment. Win!"
Abrams, the former Georgia House Minority Leader who captured the Democratic nomination in the May primary, has her platforms on veterans, military, crime, open borders and the gun rights on her campaign website. Here is how they compare with Kemp's:
Military and veterans:
Abrams: Establish protections for Georgia veteran and military families; improve transitions from service to school and career; protect military bases; respect and support the diversity of troops; support veterans in rural communities; end veteran homelessness. Details here.
Kemp: Not specifically mentioned in "4 Point Plan to Put Georgia First." Details here. Picked Rep. David Clark to lead the “Veterans for Kemp” coalition. Clark said that as secretary of state, Kemp made it easier for active duty military to vote and hired a full-time liaison to interface with veterans, wounded warriors, military families and bases throughout Georgia.
Criminal Justice Reform and immigration:
Abrams: Decriminalization of poverty through eliminating money bail; re-entry and transition program expansion through improving the coordination of services with state agencies; juvenile justice reform; effective community policing. Details here and here.
Kemp: Defund sanctuary cities and campuses; stop taxpayer funded subsidies for illegal immigrants; track and deport criminal aliens; stop and dismantle gangs. Details here.
Second Amendment:
Abrams: Support survivors of domestic violence; require universal background checks; allow families to petition for Extreme Risk Protection Orders; immediate repeal of 2012’s Senate Bill 350; immediate repeal of “Campus Carry” legislation; expand Medicaid; support violence prevention efforts. Details here.
Kemp: "Defend our Second Amendment rights." Details here.
