Tough Time For Trump Ahead Of Election As Republican Leader Goes Against Him, Pulls A Strange Move

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is contemplating the removal of three members from the State Election Board, just days after receiving a public endorsement from former President Donald Trump.

According to a report by Newsweek on Monday, August 26, 2024, this move has ignited discussions about the shifting dynamics within the Republican Party, particularly in key battleground states like Georgia, where election integrity remains a highly sensitive issue.

According to a report from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Kemp, a Republican, has sought advice from Georgia’s Attorney General regarding his legal authority to dismiss these board members.

This request comes in response to contentious decisions made by the board’s right-wing majority, decisions that have sparked criticism from various groups, including voting rights organizations, Democrats, and even some Republicans.

The three members in question—Janelle King, Rick Jeffares, and Dr. Janice Johnston—were appointed earlier this year and have since been at the center of significant controversy.

Their recent decision to require local election boards to actively search for voting discrepancies before certifying results has led to fierce debate and ethics complaints.

Critics argue that these changes could complicate the election certification process, potentially leading to delays or even disputes over election outcomes.

The timing of Kemp’s inquiry into the removal of these board members is particularly noteworthy given his recent reconciliation with Trump.

The former president had previously criticized Kemp, calling him “disloyal” and referring to him derisively as “little Brian Kemp.”

However, in a recent post on Truth Social, Trump praised Kemp for his “help and support in Georgia,” emphasizing the state’s importance in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.

This development comes as polls show a tightening race in Georgia between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race in July.

FiveThirtyEight’s latest polling data indicates that Trump’s lead over Harris in Georgia has narrowed to just 0.5 percent, a significant drop from his previous advantage over Biden.

The situation places Kemp in a challenging position. On one side, he faces pressure from within his party and from voting rights advocates to take decisive action against the board members.

On the other side, any move to dismiss these Trump-aligned officials could jeopardize his newly repaired relationship with the former president, who still wields considerable influence over the Republican base.

Further complicating the issue, Georgia law (GA Code § 45-10-4) outlines a specific procedure for the removal of board members.

According to Max Flugrath, Communications Director for the Georgia election nonprofit Fair Fight, this law requires the governor to conduct a hearing if formal charges are filed against a board member.

If the charges are substantiated, the governor is obligated to remove the member from office immediately.

As Kemp awaits the Attorney General’s response to his inquiry, the controversy continues to escalate.

The outcome of this dispute could have far-reaching implications, not only for Georgia’s election procedures but also for the broader national conversation about election integrity and the role of state officials in upholding democratic processes.

With the 2024 presidential election on the horizon, all eyes are on Georgia, a state that has become a focal point in national elections.

The decisions made by Kemp and the State Election Board could influence voter confidence and participation, potentially affecting the overall outcome of the election.

For now, the political drama in Georgia continues to unfold, with the next steps hinging on the guidance provided by the state’s Attorney General.

As the situation develops, it is clear that Georgia will remain in the spotlight as a crucial battleground in the ongoing struggle over election integrity and the balance of power within the Republican Party.