\"In general, I think hes done a good job. But I dont think he did a good job handling the 2020 election,\" said one Republican voter.<\/p>\n
WOODSTOCK, Ga. Governor Brian Kemp launched his re-election campaign this week and Georgia voters are already weighing in on his prospects following his nearly two and a half years in office. <\/p>\n
The question many have, is whether Governor Kemp can keep Republicans voters on his team next year.<\/p>\n
When Republican Kelly Sirois of Woodstock was asked what she thinks of Kemp, she responded with an exasperated sigh.<\/p>\n
\"Oh gosh, that is a loaded question,\" she said. \"I voted for Governor Kemp. I voted for President Trump.\"<\/p>\n
Siroys embodies the conflict some Republican voters have about Kemp.<\/p>\n
\"In general, I think hes done a good job. But I dont think he did a good job handling the 2020 election,\" said Republican Scott Barton.<\/p>\n
Barton said he had been a Kemp supporter, but he later said he wouldn't be next year. \"I hope he gets primaried, using the shorthand for opposition within the party primary.\" <\/p>\n
So far, only former Democratic state Rep. Vernon Jones has announced he'll oppose Kemp in the GOP primary.<\/p>\n
Barton and Siroys are among those exasperated by Kemp's willingness to steer clear of the unfounded attacks on the election leveled by then President Trump.<\/p>\n
\"State Republicans led by Kemp kind of caved, and thats not what I voted for him for in 2018, so I dont know what our alternatives are... but Im not happy with Gov. Kemp whatsoever,\" said Siroys.<\/p>\n
In a December 11Alive poll, Georgia voters overall split 45%-45% over their approval of Kemp. The same poll showed 73% of Republican voters approved of him while 21% of Republicans said they did not.<\/p>\n
But some Republican voters in Cherokee County said they liked how Kemp handled the pandemic and the economy.<\/p>\n
\"I think under the circumstances of the pandemic, I think he navigated that very well,\" said Cindy Radler, who also praised Kemp's handling of the Trump challenge to Georgia's election.<\/p>\n
One Cobb County voter visiting Woodstock second that notion saying Kemps been in a very tough position.<\/p>\n
\"Kemp chose not to shut down our economy during COVID which actually worked pretty well for us. At first I wasnt for him, but now I really do like what hes done, and Im a Democrat,\" said Frances Gilliam Gilliam who mentioned she voted for Joe Biden in 2020.<\/p>\n
11Alive's poll in December showed 21 percent of Democrats approved of Kemps performance.<\/p>\n
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Read this article: <\/p>\n
Can Governor Kemp keep Republican voters on his team next year? - 11Alive.com WXIA<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \"In general, I think hes done a good job. But I dont think he did a good job handling the 2020 election,\" said one Republican voter. WOODSTOCK, Ga Continue reading