ATLANTA (AP) – Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp pushed back on Wednesday against speculation over whom he’ll appoint to replace retiring Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson.
The Republican governor took to Twitter to slam what he called “attacks and games” and said more information about his choice would be available after Thanksgiving. The application process has sparked infighting among Republicans.
“The idea that I would appoint someone to the U.S. Senate that is NOT pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment, pro-freedom, and 100% supportive of our President (and his plan to Keep America Great) is ridiculous,” Kemp said.
Kemp’s comments came less than a week after he made a secret trip to Washington to discuss the appointment with President Donald Trump. White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham confirmed that the two met Sunday.
Kemp’s appointee will serve for less than a year before the seat goes up for grabs in an open-to-all special election. That will put both of Georgia’s Republican-held U.S. Senate seats on the ballot alongside President Trump in 2020, raising the state’s profile as a political battleground.