A Georgia politician crossed party lines to endorse Republican candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, days before the midterm election.
Former Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall, a Democrat who briefly served in Congress, endorsed incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) turning his back on fellow Democrat Stacey Abrams.
“Over the last four years, I’ve witnessed Governor Kemp make tough decisions — ones that weren’t always popular at the time — in unprecedented circumstances,” Hall said in a statement.
“While we don’t agree on every issue, it’s abundantly clear that Brian Kemp is a man of character, a strong leader, and someone who Georgians can trust to put them and their interests first. Governor Kemp’s door has always been open to those who have Georgia’s best interests at heart, regardless of politics, and that’s why I’m proud to support him in his bid for re-election.”
Georgia’s governor thanked Hall for his support, saying he appreciated it.
“Kwanza has ably served our capital city and state for many years, and I look forward to working with him and other hardworking Georgians to put political differences aside and keep our state the best place to live, work, and raise a family for the next four years,” Kemp said in a statement.
Hall also endorsed Republican Burt Jones’ campaign for state lieutenant governor.
“Burt is the only candidate in the race with a plan to invest in our communities, lower costs, improve our K-12 education system, and reduce crime,” Hall said, according to a Fox5 report.
Kemp’s challenger, Democrat Stacey Abrams, has not publicly commented about Hall’s cross-party endorsement. Indeed, the latest press release on her official campaign website is dated October 17.
Abrams gained national attention when she lost a close race to Kemp in 2018. She famously claimed she won and did not give a concession speech because that would mean she lost, which she maintains she did not. She did acknowledge Kemp as the new governor but only stopped fighting her loss when it became clear there was no further legal recourse remaining.
Her get-out-the-vote drive drew large numbers of Georgia citizens who had never voted before and it gained her national attention. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) thought she would stand a good chance to win a Senate seat. Other politicians advanced her name as Joe Biden’s running mate for the 2020 general election, which she turned down.
Hall served three terms on the Atlanta City Council before running unsuccessfully for mayor. He also won a special election to fulfill the remainder of the late Rep. John Lewis’ term, a Democrat for Georgia’s 5th Congressional District, according to a report in The Epoch Times.
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