BKP makes endorsement in Georgia HD7
Feature News, Featured, Featured News, Featured Stories January 5, 2023
Many have called and texted me wondering if I was going to back someone in the runoff. I have made that decision.
The people of Georgia House District 7 need a representative that understands our North Georgia values: That is obviously not Sheree Ralston. Throughout the campaign it became clear she doesn’t have a clue about any of the issues. Remember what she said was her legislative priority, when our law enforcement responds to a call to have a clinician in the car with them. Ask your local law enforcement if they want a counselor to join them when responding to a call. Remember when she said that mental health legislation is a work in progress… but could not tell the voters what that means….
We need someone who doesn’t have to rely on someone else to write the answers to questions for them, someone who will listen and study the issues, someone who will represent the people and not Atlanta. I am endorsing Johnny Chastain for HD7. Johnny needs our vote, needs you to call your neighbors and ask them to vote and will need financial support. He is running against the establishment of a well funded machine. Let’s pull together and elect Johnny Chastain as our Rep for HD7.
BKP
Reasons Why to Vote for Brian K Pritchard
Feature News, Featured, Featured News, Featured Stories January 2, 2023
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Why is the News Observer trying to manipulate an election?
Election, Feature News, Featured, Featured News, Featured Stories December 30, 2022
Why is the News Observer trying to manipulate an election? Is Glenn Harbinson trying to help someone win? You don’t know me but you sure want to judge me. When I decided to run for Georgia House District 7 I knew the media would attack me. I was ready for it and I know why they don’t want the good people from the 7th district to have a real representative.
I have tried to make this campaign about the issues. It is clear I won both forums and the other candidates have a lot to learn when it comes to the issues. So if you can’t win on the issues, use the fish wrap New Observer to attack me on something that happened nearly 30 years ago.
Yes something happened in Pennsylvania that is of public record. But the Georgia Secretary of States wants you to believe that I knowingly voted while serving a felony sentence. Never happened! I did vote every time they said, but never illegally.
The News Observer and AJC fail to tell the entire story. Yes, for those who think a person charged with a felony can’t vote, wrong. First, in the state of Pennsylvania the only time you lose your voting rights is if you are incarcerated. Considering I have never spent a night in jail in my entire life…(can everyone say that) I never lost my voting rights in PA. Once your sentence has expired you can vote in the state of Georgia. Yes it’s true!
One question that no one asks, why has the Secretary of State office sat on this allegation for 7 years? Why did this suddenly come up for the Attorney General’s office on the Friday before qualifying for office on Monday. Why was this sent to the media before it was sent to me and my attorney? The answer is simple: manipulate an election.
You see I have a document which states that the case closed 5-14-1999 almost 24 years ago.
clearly depicts 1999
While the SOS falsely claims the case was still active and didn’t close until 2010. According to my document I never knowingly voted while serving a felony sentence and the law clearly states “knowingly”.
Not long ago the Attorney General’s office offered me what I considered extortion to sign a document showing no guilt and to pay a $4000 fine and they would close this case. I said absolutely not! Why would I pay them for something when I did nothing wrong?
$4000 offer to admit I did nothing wrong
Now they want to try to manipulate an election and try to make me look like public enemy number one. They want to take me to court in Fannin county and try to fine me upwards of $30,000. All because I did nothing wrong, did not accept their $4,000 extortion, and it was very convenient timing to disparage my name. Wouldn’t it be nice if the Georgia SOS looked for real voter fraud and the Attorney General spent your tax money prosecuting gang violence and drug cases.
You know the expression, it’s as clear as the nose on my face… Glenn Harbinson with the News Observer is trying to manipulate an election. But for who? Johnny Chastain or the woman who is trying to play the poor little widow woman Sheree Ralston.
Why is Sheree paying to run this ad knowing it’s not true
The one who is paying big money running ads, ads depicting “Did Pritchard vote illegally?” Why would she run this ad knowing her late husband David Ralston knew my entire story. Don’t fall for her act.
Why isn’t fish wrap Glenn looking into why these candidates combined spending is over 150K. Why spend $150,000 to try to get a job that pays 17.5k a year? Why isn’t fish wrap Glenn asking where their money is coming from? Where is Sheree Ralston getting her money, is it from the campaign slush fund from David Ralston? If so, is that legal?
We have all heard the stories of Glenn’s backroom deals to manipulate Blue Ridge City Mayor and Council races, County Commission seats…. I don’t know this first hand but we have all heard the stories. Now what kind of deal has Glenn made to try to manipulate this election and for who?
I’m not public enemy number one. I’m 58 years old. Married to my lovely wife Lisa. Father to two great kids Brian Keith and Vanessa who have blessed me with five grandkids. I do not use any drugs and haven’t even tasted alcohol since I was nineteen. I have never spent a night in jail and I think it has been over twenty years since I’ve had a speeding ticket. My wife was born and raised here and every once in a while I hear “I’m from here.” I have been here for 21 years and we are small business owners. We own FetchYourNews.com and our number one focus for the last 12 years has been to highlight our young people in the district. Our sports department TeamFYNSports tagline is “highlighting and promoting young athletes in a positive way.”
It’s time we have a representative that is focused on keeping Atlanta drugs and crime out of our North Georgia Mountains. We need to stop drug cartels from operating in our district, protect parents rights and protect our children from this government’s “WOKE” agenda.
Protect our kids & parental rights
We are tired of self-serving politicians. You know the ones that get elected and are only worth around 200k and come back worth millions. Serving the people should never be a million dollar open door to corruption. Look at all the candidates and ask yourself why they are running for this office and then take a look at me and know I am running for no other reason than to serve the people.
Do not let Atlanta pick your Representative watch the forums Click here to watch the forums
Don’t let media like the News Observer and AJC lie and try to manipulate an election. Trust the only candidate in the race who reads the bills and knows the issues.
God Bless America, God Bless Georgia and God Bless the good people of the seventh district.
P.S. Go DAWGS
My name is Brian K. Pritchard and I ask for your vote on January 3rd.
David Ralston announces he will not run again for Speaker of the House
Feature News, Featured, Featured News, Featured Stories November 4, 2022
Georgia – FYN has learned that at noon on Friday, November the 4th, a press conference to announce the Georgia State Speaker of the House, David Ralston, will be making an announcement. According to information we have received Mr. Ralston will not seek another term as Speaker of the House.
Currently Mr. David Ralston is the Representative of Georgia ‘s 7th District which includes Fannin, Gilmer and part of Dawson county. FYN will update as more information becomes available.
See Press Release below:
Speaker David Ralston
PRESS RELEASE
Speaker Ralston Announces He Will Not Seek Nomination as Speaker of the House for the 2023-2024 Legislative Session
He intends to Represent 7th House District as State Representative.
ATLANTA – Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge), 73rd Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, announced today that he will not seek nomination for Speaker of the House for the 2023-2024 legislative session. He will serve the remainder of his current term as Speaker of the House which ends in January.
“Serving as Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives has been the honor of a lifetime, and I owe a heartfelt thank you to my colleagues for the trust and confidence they placed in me thirteen years ago,” said Speaker Ralston. “I need to take time to address a health challenge which has arisen recently, and the House needs a Speaker who can devote the necessary time and energy to the office. I love the House and want to see the honorable men and women who serve in it succeed. I will work the remainder of my term as Speaker to ensure a smooth transition for my successor.”
If re-elected by his constituents, Speaker Ralston intends to serve as State Representative for the 7th House district for the 2023-2024 legislative session. Speaker Ralston is unopposed for that seat.
“I appreciate the continued support of my friends and neighbors in Fannin, Gilmer, and Dawson counties,” said Speaker Ralston. “I intend to serve out the next term as their state representative and fulfill the duties they have entrusted to me.”
Speaker Ralston was first elected to the House in 2002 and was first elected as Speaker of the House in 2010. He is the longest currently-serving state house speaker in the country.
A champion for job creation and economic development, Speaker Ralston has been a driving force behind many legislative accomplishments which have made Georgia the best state in the nation for business year after year, such as Georgia’s Transportation Funding Act of 2015 and the largest-ever income tax cut in state history.
Speaker Ralston has also worked with leaders in both parties to move Georgia forward through bipartisan legislation like Georgia’s comprehensive adoption reform in 2018 and the state’s first-ever paid parental leave policy for state employees and teachers in 2021.
In 2022, Speaker Ralston led the fight for historic reform of mental health care in Georgia. Georgia’s Mental Health Parity Act and accompanying funding transforms both access to and delivery of mental health services and treatment options throughout the state.
“I want to thank all the staff members who have assisted me throughout the years, particularly my Chief of Staff Spiro Amburn who has been by my side from the beginning,” said Speaker Ralston. “I could not have done all of this without the love and support of my family, particularly my wife, Sheree, and our children. They have been my rock, and I love them very much.”
The Speaker of the House is elected by and from the members of the House on the first day of each biennial legislative session. The Speaker serves as the House’s chief administrative officer. The Speaker also presides over House floor sessions, assigns bills to committees, and calls matters before the House for debate.
The House of Representatives will elect a new Speaker when the House convenes for the first day of the 2023-2024 legislative session on Monday, January 9, 2023.
Fall Festival Saturday October 1st at Epworth Community Club with Speaker of the House Rep David Ralston and US Senate Candidate Herschel Walker
News September 25, 2022
515 Republicans The Power of 5 present Georgia Secretary of State Debate April 23rd
Feature News, Featured, Featured News, Featured Stories, News April 15, 2022
515 Republicans The Power of 5 present Georgia Secretary of State Debate April 23rd. Doors open at 3pm for live audience at White Path Creek Farms located at 1121 Old Northcut Rd, Ellijay, GA. Event will be broadcast LIVE on FYNTv.com with Moderator Brian K. Pritchard.
Trump endorses Burt Jones for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia
Election, Politics, Press Release September 2, 2021
JACKSON – Today, September 2, 2021, President Donald J. Trump endorsed conservative candidate Burt Jones for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia.
Both Trump and Jones have shared and forwarded the endorsement to numerous media outlets. Jones’ campaign also attached a statement saying, “In 2016 and 2020, Burt served as President Trump’s campaign co-chair in Georgia, and he was the first elected official in Georgia to endorse the President. As President Trump’s endorsement proves, Burt is the only candidate in the race for Lieutenant Governor who will safeguard and advance the America First agenda, fight for election integrity, and deliver results for hardworking Georgians.”
Trump’s endorsement stated: “State Senator Burt Jones is a Conservative warrior running for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. No on has fought harder for Election Integrity than Burt, and no state needs it more. A businessman and Patriot, Burt will always stand for America First, and will help bring back Energy Independence, a Stronger Border, Low Taxes, Great Education, and Safe Cities. He will also get to the bottom of the Nov. 3 Presidential Election Scam. Burt Jones has my Complete and Total Endorsement. He will not let the great people of Georgia down!”
In an email statement today, Burt Jones responded by saying, “I am honored and humbled to receive the endorsement of President Donald J. Trump in my campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. I am the only person in my race who has had the President’s back from day one, and it’s an honor to have his full support. As Lieutenant Governor, I will work to advance the President’s America First agenda and continue to grow our economy, improve our schools, secure our elections, and keep Georgia safe. I look forward to traveling the state and meeting with the good people of Georgia as we work toward a big win in November 2022.”
Trump endorses Burt Jones for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia
Election, Featured News, Featured Stories September 2, 2021
JACKSON – Today, September 2, 2021, President Donald J. Trump endorsed conservative candidate Burt Jones for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia.
Both Trump and Jones have shared and forwarded the endorsement to numerous media outlets. Jones’ campaign also attached a statement saying, “In 2016 and 2020, Burt served as President Trump’s campaign co-chair in Georgia, and he was the first elected official in Georgia to endorse the President. As President Trump’s endorsement proves, Burt is the only candidate in the race for Lieutenant Governor who will safeguard and advance the America First agenda, fight for election integrity, and deliver results for hardworking Georgians.”
Trump’s endorsement stated: “State Senator Burt Jones is a Conservative warrior running for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. No on has fought harder for Election Integrity than Burt, and no state needs it more. A businessman and Patriot, Burt will always stand for America First, and will help bring back Energy Independence, a Stronger Border, Low Taxes, Great Education, and Safe Cities. He will also get to the bottom of the Nov. 3 Presidential Election Scam. Burt Jones has my Complete and Total Endorsement. He will not let the great people of Georgia down!”
In an email statement today, Burt Jones responded by saying, “I am honored and humbled to receive the endorsement of President Donald J. Trump in my campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. I am the only person in my race who has had the President’s back from day one, and it’s an honor to have his full support. As Lieutenant Governor, I will work to advance the President’s America First agenda and continue to grow our economy, improve our schools, secure our elections, and keep Georgia safe. I look forward to traveling the state and meeting with the good people of Georgia as we work toward a big win in November 2022.”
Candidates Qualify for Blue Ridge City Election
City Council, Featured News, Featured Stories August 20, 2021
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Qualifying has officially come to an end for the upcoming City of Blue Ridge election and 13 candidates have thrown their respective hats into the ring.
With much contention being expressed at recent City Council meetings, residents not only of the city but also of Fannin County as a whole, are watching to see who will represent the future of the city’s progress.
Like City Elections of the past, teams have been presumably formed in hopes of making a clean sweep on the ballot in November.
However, none of the 13 will confirm if they are running on a ticket with others.
Those who submitted paperwork to run in November’s election will still need to be vetted to assure qualifications for candidacy are met.
The election will take place Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The following individuals have submitted qualifying papers:
Blue Ridge Mayor Candidates (Currently held by Donna Whitener)
Rhonda Haight
Donna Whitener
Post 1 Candidates (Currently held by Herald Herndon)
Herald Herndon
Jack Taylor
Post 2 Candidates (Currently held by Rhonda Haight)
Angie Arp
Mike Panter
Post 3 Candidates (Currently held by Mike Panter)
Brian Higgins
Christy Kay
Post 4 Candidates (Currently held by Robbie Cornelius)
Richard Arnold
Jacqueline Brown
William Whaley
Post 5 Candidates (Currently held by Nathan Fitts)
Bill Bivens
Nathan Fitts
Author
Giuliani derides Kemp and Raffensperger, praises Vernon Jones
Featured News, Featured Stories July 14, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga – Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) expressed that the country is at a “major crossroads” and it’s up to like-minded individuals to “preserve” it.
Giuliani’s officially endorsed gubernatorial candidate Vernon Jones(R) in Georgia after experiencing a lack of leadership from incumbent Brian Kemp (R). The embattled former mayor and ex-Trump Attorney attempted to contact Kemp several times following the November 2020 election and claimed the Georgia governor never returned his calls.
He added that the Georgia legislature conducted the “Best job [of] investigating the [election] fraud” last December. A special session concerning election fraud wasn’t called in December, but the Georgia House of Representatives and Senate held separate hearings to hear from individuals who experienced inconsistencies during that election cycle.
A lawsuit is currently in the court system concerning possible election fraud in Fulton County.
Giuliani attended one of those hearings and presented the highly contested security footage from State Farm Arena that featured some Fulton County poll workers pulling ballots from underneath tables.
The Secretary of State’s office conducted multiple recounts following the election and maintain that the Georgia election was honest and fair. They found no evidence of significant fraud.
Two weeks ago, New York suspended Giuliani’s law license in large part to the ex-Trump attorney’s election claims.
Giuliani wasn’t satisfied with either Kemp of Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) claiming they never analyzed the video and going so far as to call Raffensperger “a damn liar.”
He believes Vernon is the “right man for Georgia” with experience running a government office as an executive as well as a legislator. He added that Vernon “went through hell to be Republican” and the former Representative understands Trump’s vision.
Giuliani’s in the midst of his own trials and tribulations. A new book is claiming Giuliani told Trump to “just say we won” on election night. A move that reportedly infuriated Trump advisors. Giuliani’s stated that the claims were false and made by anti-Trumpers.
In April, Giuliani’s Manhattan home and office were raided by federal agents who seized computers and cell phones for an investigation into Trump’s business dealings. The former New York Mayor has stated they didn’t take the Hunter Biden laptop, however.
Ask The Doc! Ascites And Spindle Cell Sarcoma
Community May 2, 2021
This week, the Doctors discuss Ascites in a patient whose lung Cancer is being treated by the Jimmy Carter Immune Therapy. What is it? How is it treated? They also touch on the Spindle Cell Sarcoma. How serious is it? What are the different kinds of Sarcomas? The doctors also give a brief Covid update.
Watkins announces final term in Board of Education
Election, Featured News, Featured Stories, News April 20, 2021
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – Referencing the recent dissension over the school’s 2021-2022 calendar, board member and current Chairman Ronald Watkins said he has caught major backlash over the issue.
Watkins announced in the BOE’s public comments session this month that he will not be running again in the coming elections. Dealing with much of the frustration from the public and what he stated as “people telling a little bit of the truth and a little bit of lies,” Watkins voiced his anger over the issue and the backlash to him as a public official.
Ronald Watkins, Member of the Gilmer County Board of Education
During his comments, he denounced citizens who, according to Watkins, claimed he voted based on his own vacations. Saying that he raises chickens, he said he could not plan vacations on the calendar regardless of which one it was. He went on to say that if he had his choice, Gilmer’s Calendar would be that of Murray County.
Watkins said he has been on the board for years working for the public. He said, “I took up for every kid, teachers, and everybody.” He condemned the public’s response on the recent issues referencing something he saw in “emails.”
As if speaking directly to those people in the meeting, Watkins said, “You ain’t going to get to vote against me next year,” as he announced that this would be his final term.
However, the calendar issue may not have been the direct cause of this announcement, Watkins claimed that he had previously spoken with Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs about this being his last term and not wanting to run again. He said he had “made that promise” a while ago.
Linking in another resignation, Watkins furthered addressed the resignation of Dr. Downs saying that she resigned and that “We did not run Dr. Downs off. She had my full backing. You can sit there and shake your head no, I don’t care. She had my full backing. This was her decision.”
While it is unusual to see such an early announcement of decisions on running for office, it was made publicly, in an open county meeting. This makes two absences that the Board of Education will face in its future. However, Watkins did not tender a resignation, meaning that he will continue to serve the remainder of his term as of this time.
The board has faced member resignations in the last five years, which is how Watkins current service began as he filled the remainder of a term left from a resignation before running for office for the following term.
Shafer talks party cohesion following Trump Endorsement for re-election
News, Politics March 25, 2021
Endorsed by former President Donald Trump, Georgia GOP Chair David Shafer is running for re-election for Chair. After his official announcement to run for re-election, he faces challenges in the party to keeping the party cohesive and united in the coming elections.
With some Republicans already calling for a GOP 2.0 separation among Republican supporters, Shafer said he got a mix of good and bad news from the recent election process. Growth in the party is obvious, but breakdowns in the election came as Shafer said changes were made “outside of the law” by the State Elections Board and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
The vast increase in absentee ballots coupled with a failure in verifications was just a surface issue as Shafer stated the offices were obviously overwhelmed. On top of that, he pointed out the refusals to allow poll watchers easy access, sometimes making them stand as much as 50 feet away when they were allowed to watch.
Unmanned drop boxes and rampant ballot harvesting were part of the massive issues in the election according to Shafer.
Yet, he is looking forward and trying to bring people in the party back together in forward motion to retake the safety and security of the elections.
Raffensperger blamed Shafer for issues saying he was responsible for exact match signatures. Shafer responded saying it was absurd as Raffensperger changed laws entering into a consent agreement without consulting the Republican Party. The betrayal in March showed his Democratic Party affiliation.
Shafer said Raffensperger made it so much harder to throw out non-matching ballots and the change in laws were unilaterally altered from the laws he voted on.
An example of some of the unrest in the party, Shafer agreed that 2022 could be difficult as he has already heard several county chairman in the Republican Party not running for re-election because they are wanting to contest races in the state. As a leader of the State GOP, he hasn’t called for Raffensperger’s resignation, but he has been a part of several lawsuits trying to, as he says, “make sure the laws are carried out.”
In one final question, when asked about any possibility to see him on the ballot in major offices in 2022, he replied that he felt his best place to be helpful is continuing as the State Chairman.
Shafer said, “The real danger to this country is posed by the Democrats. We have got to pull everyone back together and defeat Raphael Warnock in 2022 and preserve our Republican majority so the Democrats don’t do to Georgia what they are currently doing to America.”
Mayor asked to return key to City Hall
City Council, Featured News, Featured Stories March 11, 2021
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Mayor Donna Whitener was asked to turn in her key to City Hall as council members expressed their concerns over the upcoming election.
“With all that has been going on over the past couple of months, which the public is just now starting to find out about, to be very honest, I don’t know that I feel comfortable with the election that is coming up and not having an unbiased party being over the election,” Council Member Nathan Fitts expressed his feelings on the upcoming election.
Haight requests that Whitener return her key to City Hall during the election period.
Council Member Rhonda Thomas and Fitts both agreed that having outside municipal counsel handle any election related events would be in the best interest of not only the candidates but the City as well.
This proposition comes with the consideration that current City Attorney James Balli is hired to represent City Council members, many of whom will be running in the upcoming election, and therefore might have a biased conflict of interest in any election related matters.
Haight suggested approaching the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) attorneys and getting their legal opinion on the matter.
Fitts agreed with Haight’s recommendation stating, “I know too much. I know the history of the last election. I know things that went on and I do not feel comfortable with it.”
With the request for an outside legal counsel, Haight also requested that the Mayor return her key to City Hall during the election period.
“None of us have keys except for the Mayor and I don’t feel like she should have a key to this building during that election time,” Haight said adding that she doesn’t want any possibility of wrongdoing to occur and jeopardize the election process.
“I have no problem with that,” Mayor Whitener responded to Haight’s request but did point out that there have been emergency occasions when she (Whitener) has had to access the building.
One thing that all council members and mayor did agree upon was to look into third party handling of future elections.
Fitts pointed out that the staff of City Hall, who currently handle city elections, is “put in the middle of way more than they should be”.
While some council members felt it was too late to seek outside handling of the 2021 City Election, they did agree to pursue this route in the future.
The General Election is set to take place on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 with voting at City Hall. Polls open at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m.
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David Perdue takes steps to run against Warnock in 2022
Featured News, Featured Stories, News February 15, 2021
ATLANTA, Ga – The 2022 U.S. Senate race starts heating up with former U.S. Senator David Perdue (R – Ga) filing paperwork to potentially run against Senator Raphael Warnock (D – Ga).
The former senator, who lost his runoff against Jon Ossoff on January 5, established the “Perdue for Senate” campaign on Monday with the Federal Election Commission.
This move doesn’t necessarily mean Perdue will enter the race, and Fox News is reporting, he will decide in the coming weeks. However, the conservative news outlet also indicates Perdue is leaning toward running.
If Perdue runs against Warnock, it leaves another prominent Georgia Republican and former Ninth District Representative Doug Collins in an interesting position. Sources say Collins’ also considering another Senate bid in 2022.
Taken from the FEC website on February 15, 2021.
In a jungle primary, Collins came in third against Warnock and former Senator Kelly Loeffler (R). Warnock later beat Loeffler in the runoff.
Related: Doug Collins will appear on BKP Politics on Tuesday, February 16 at 8 a.m.
Perdue won his Senate seat in 2014 and quickly aligned himself with President Trump in 2016. The President has strongly indicated that he would be involved in the Georgia 2022 elections following Governor Brian Kemp’s refusal to overturn the election.
Ossoff received 50.6 percent of the vote in the runoff to 49.4 percent for Perdue. On November 3, Perdue led Ossoff before dropping below 50 percent to push the race to a runoff.
Warnock and Ossoff’s wins handed the Senate control over to the Democrats, with 50 Senators and Vice President Kamala Harris (D) serving as the tie-breaking vote.
Senator Raphael Warnock
2022 will see Georgia become a political hotbed once again with Governor Brian Kemp (R), Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan (R), and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) up for reelection. Many in the Republican Party aren’t happy with the incumbents following the November 3 election. Trump’s stated he intends to find primary candidates against Kemp at least. Politicos look for Stacey Abrams (D) to run against Kemp in the general election as a 2018 rematch.