Kemp’s “Fiasco” Senate Appointment Process Continues to Unravel as Tension and GOP Infighting Dominate Headlines

Georgia GOP close to completely fracturing into “an all-out Republican feud” over “dangerous” Senate choice that hasn’t even been made yet

Atlanta — This morning, coverage continued to pour in about how Governor Brian Kemp’s “dangerous” Senate appointment process keeps spiraling out of control, risking “an all-out Republican feud” at a time when Republicans can least afford it.

Following yesterday’s news about Kemp’s disastrous trip to the White House over his Senate pick that “turned tense and ended quickly,” according to the Wall Street Journal, the outlook for Kemp just keeps getting worse.

The AJC’s Greg Bluestein broke down just how dire the situation is for Kemp and Georgia Republicans:

“[Kemp’s meeting] raised new questions about whether Kemp can unite a fractious state Republican Party with his pick, as grassroots conservatives criticize Loeffler and promote Collins, a four-term congressman and ardent Trump ally, as the best candidate to hold the seat in 2020.”

Kemp has every reason to be worried. Even his allies admit that Trump “could do irrevocable damage to Loeffler with a few keystrokes.” And conservative activists have continued to launch increasingly blunt attacks on Loeffler, calling her “the wrong choice” and saying that she “should be disqualified.” These new attacks come right after a prominent Republican activist in the state slammed Loeffler while taking a swipe at Kemp’s entire process saying: “This whole thing about appointing a replacement for Isakson has turned into a fiasco.” 

Now, with Georgia Republicans consumed by infighting and their party’s own governor and president facing new tension, the AJC is predicting “an all-out Republican feud on next year’s ballot,” a disaster for the GOP in an election year that already features plenty of warning signs for Republicans.

“Georgia Republicans continue to face a no-win scenario after Governor Kemp’s disaster of an appointment process has turned into a complete circus,” said Alex Floyd, spokesman for the Democratic Party of Georgia. “No matter what call he makes, Governor Kemp has already angered Republicans as they head into a tough election year when the party can’t afford any division.”

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