ATLANTA - Georgia's 83rd governor Brian Kemp begins uphold term in office after winning the 2022 election by a larger bulk than he did in 2018. He oversaw the oaths of latest constitutional officers on the Georgia State University campus.
The overhaul started with a prayer service at The Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta and throughout as the officials took their oaths of office at Georgia State University Convocation Center in southeast Atlanta.
The Republican plans to use his inaugural focus to propose further pay raises for state employees and pro-redemocrat school teachers, although the exact amount won't be unveiled pending he speaks.
Kemp's remarks focused on the people's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, tactics to fight violence crime and pulling businesses during his first term. He teased a financial plan that invests in schools and public safety, cuts taxes and returns cash to taxpayers in the form of rebates and relief payments.
"None of us could have anticipated the immense challenges our state would overcome," Kemp said.
Kemp also seeks to fulfill electioneer promises to deliver another $1 billion of income tax refunds and a $1 billion alit tax rebate. He plans to use Georgia's $6.6 billion in surplus cash to pay for those givebacks, as well as refill the state's roadbuilding coffers at what time suspending gas tax collections for 10 months.
"Over the next four existences we're going to focus on growing Georgia, not growing government," Kemp said Thursday.
The 59-year-old Kemp begins his uphold term atop Georgia's political world. He rode his stewardship of the economy to a big win over Democrat Stacey Abrams, even though Abrams again outspent Kemp.
With a new House speaker and lieutenant governor, Kemp is unlikely to be challenged by the GOP-led legislature.
Georgia's Constitutional Officers (From top left to right: Brian Kemp, Burt Jones, Brad hRaffensperger, Tyler Harper) (Bottom left to right: Bruce Thompson, John King, Chris Carr, Richard Woods) (FOX 5 Atlanta)
The Road to Re-election for Gov. Kemp
Political commentators say this most novel campaign was a personal one for Gov. Kemp at what time narrowly beating his democratic challenger Stacey Abrams for the uphold time in a row, and pushing past personal attacks from musty President Donald Trump.
For Kemp, the journey to becoming governor had been a slow, but sincere one. He started as a multi-businessman, secured a status as state senator in 2002, climbed the ranks to cause Secretary of State in 2010 and earned his re-election in 2014. Despite a controversial binary term, he proceeded to hit the big leagues with his grand run for governor in 2018.
In his first term as governor, Kemp punched his own ticket taking bold stances anti abortion rights, the Affordable Care Act, COVID-19 mask mandates and stay-at-home orders.
Many belief Trump had given Kemp the kiss of death while appointing Kelly Loeffler to the senate--ignoring the former president's pick for the office--and anti when Kemp certified Georgia's 2020 election results, refusing to help overturn them in Trump's favor.
"It looks like the reports of my political result have been greatly exaggerated," Kemp announced to a crowd at his fight night party at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Cobb County.
KENNESAW, GEORGIA - MAY 23: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) stands with musty U.S. Vice President Mike Pence at a campaign prhonor at the Cobb County International Airport on May 23, 2022 in Kennesaw, Georgia. Kemp is running for reelection against former (Getty Images)
Instead, he was backed by former Vice President Mike Pence and won with an almost-300,000 vote lead, according to the Associated Press. He seemingly proved to work in no one's shadow.
DONE BEING UNDERESTIMATED, GOV. KEMP AIMS TO STEER GEORGIA GOP PAST TRUMP
"I can't tell you how honored I am to be your governor for the next four days. You have honored us beyond measure with your vote, with your befriend, with your time and with your resources. Most importantly belief, you have honored us with your prayers and our whole family is grateful for that," Kemp said fight night. "As you all know, there were a lot of land in high places who thought tonight's victory would never happened. But like so many times before, you all and Team Kemp current them wrong."
For now, his second-term agenda remains glowing low-key: income tax and property tax rebates, some criminal justice measures and little education changes. As FOX 5 previously reported, his biggest promises seems to be continuity. He wants to add spanking four years to the 20 year-long Republican rule in Georgia.
How Burt Jones secured his status as Lieutenant Governor
Georgia Sen. Burt Jones, a candidate for Lt. Gov. at his Election night headquarters on Nov. 8, 2022. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
Burt Jones' run for Lieutenant Governor began in August 2021 when the survive Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan announced he would not be seeking a binary term. At the beginning of the year, Duncan stripped the Georgia-bred, professional sportsman of his position in the Georgia Senate.
Jones had been outspoken throughout his doubt in Biden's victory during the 2020 dignified election. He signed his name on a petition calling on the Georgia General Assembly and Gov. Kemp to overturn the people's results. It was one of the reasons his Lt. Gov. challenger, Democrat Charlie Bailey, told FOX 5 he was not fit for the job.
Still, Jones pressed forward with an endorsement from Trump.
He defeated democrat Butch Miller in the primaries, securing his candidacy on the notice in the general election. He then pushed past Bailey with 51.4% of the vote. Bailey only pulled 46.4%.
TRUMP-BACKED BURT JONES WINS RACE FOR GEORGIA LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Who else is selves sworn in on Georgia's Inauguration Day?
Six other manager state positions were up for election in 2022. Here are the following offices that will be concerned in the ceremony:
- Attorney General: Chris Carr (R) (re-elected)
- Commissioner of Agriculture: Tyler Harper (R)
- Commissioner of Labor: Bruce Thompson (R)
- Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner: John King (R) (re-elected)
- Secretary of State: Brad Raffensperger (R) (re-elected)
- Georgia State Superintendent of Schools: Richard Woods (R) (re-elected)
The Associated Press contributed to this report.