The Players: Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and President Joe Biden.
The Issue: Kemp signed a massive 95-page election overhaul bill Thursday. The bill limits the amount of time Georgians have to request an absentee ballot, requires a photo ID to request an absentee ballot, and restricts absentee ballot boxes. Biden fired the first shot, calling the bill “Jim Crow in the 21st century.” Biden’s remarks prompted a clap back from Kemp, which was released in a statement Friday evening.
Kemp’s Response: Kemp responded with a criticism of Joe Biden and Biden’s “handlers.” You can read Kemp’s statement in its entirety below.
“It is obvious that neither President Biden nor his handlers have actually read SB 202, which I signed into law yesterday. This bill expands voting access, streamlines vote-counting procedures, and ensures election integrity. There is nothing ‘Jim Crow’ about requiring a photo or state-issued ID to vote by absentee ballot – every Georgia voter must already do so when voting in-person. President Biden, the left, and the national media are determined to destroy the sanctity and security of the ballot box. As Secretary of State, I consistently led the fight to protect Georgia elections against power-hungry, partisan activists. As Governor, I won’t back down from keeping Georgia elections secure, accessible, and fair.”
How it may play out: Kemp’s sharp criticism of Biden could help win back Trump supporters who were deterred by Kemp’s defense of Georgia’s vote count and his refusal to overturn the election results in Georgia. The remarks will not go over well with moderates or democrats, but Kemp has not found much support with those groups.
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About The Public Record: This article is part of an ongoing series highlighting statements by public officials called The Public Record, where we present recent quotes and actions of public officials or candidates. You may not be able to attend every public meeting or see every occasion where your representatives speak, but you still have a right to know what your representatives and those who hope to represent you have been saying.
“Because public men and women are amenable ‘at all times’ to the people, they must conduct the public’s business out in the open.” -Charles L. Weltner Sr., former Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court
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