By Alexandra Ulmer

KENNESAW (Ga.) – Mike Pence, former Vice President, campaigned Monday night for Mike’s ex-boss in the Republican primary to Governor of Georgia. He urged voters to forget the past and not dwell on it.

Pence was not direct in his criticism of former President Donald Trump, but he did speak on behalf of Brian Kemp and didn’t name David Perdue. Trump supported Perdue in the race.

“Elections concern the future. Pence stated that there are people who would like to make the election about history, while speaking to an audience of dozens in an airport hangar. You will be sending a loud message across America to say that the Republican Party, the party of tomorrow, is what you are saying.

Trump requested that Kemp not overturn Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results. These showed Joe Biden as the winner in Georgia. Trump has been a target because of Kemp’s refusal to comply with Trump’s demands.

Trump’s endorsement of Perdue was one of the most high-profile and riskiest of more than 190 endorsements he made before the Nov. 8, 2008 elections. According to opinion polls, Kemp is well ahead Perdue.

Trump is attempting to show his political power by choosing the candidates of Republicans for November’s elections, which will decide control over Congress.

“We are in a battle for the soul and health of our nation. Kemp stressed that tomorrow cannot be taken for granted. He praised the fact that his business was closed during the coronavirus outbreak and backed restrictive voting laws.

Kemp and Pence praised Trump’s policies, while Kemp attacked Democrat Stacey Abrams. Abrams is a voting rights activist who used to lead the House of Representatives as a minority leader. Kemp will likely face him in a rematch of 2018, which was held in 2018.

Pence proclaimed, to applause, that Brian Kemp had defeated Stacey Abrams four-years ago.

Some Kemp-supporters in the crowd viewed Pence’s race role as an opportunity for the Republican Party.

Kay Morgan (64), a realtor, said that having Pence present is an important step for the Republican Party in moving away from Trump. She voted twice for Trump, but felt dismayed at his fake election claims, and she said she wouldn’t support him again. “I’d like to see Pence become an elected official.”

Tony Willingham (54), a project manager at an electric utility company, stated that he never supported Trump, but was encouraged by the fact that Kemp is far ahead of him in the polls. We are huge supporters of Vice President Pence. Willingham stated that he believes in Vice President Pence’s Christian values as well as the wisdom God gives him.

Eric Tanenblatt was a Republican strategist from Georgia who believed the ex-president had attempted to overthrow the party. However, Tanenblatt said that Trump’s style “turned a lot of people off.” These people can be rehabilitated by electing people such as Governor Kemp.

TRUMP CALL-IN

Trump called in a Perdue function Monday evening after Kemp-Pence’s rally.

Because I doubt Kemp is capable of it, David is the only candidate that can defeat Stacey Abrams. Trump stated that he has too many Republican Party members who will not vote. Pence was not mentioned.

Perdue criticised Abrams during interviews on Monday that were covered on social media, following her decrying Georgia’s high rates of maternal and infant mortality.

She ain’t from here. If she doesn’t love it here, let her return to where she was born,” he stated, later adding that “She is demeaning herself.” Abrams (Black) was born in Wisconsin. As a child, she moved to Georgia with her parents.

Trump, in a fiery speech, claimed his fraudulent claim that his loss in the 2016 presidential election resulted from fraud. His assertion was rejected by several courts, state election officials, and his own staff.

In an effort to prevent formal certification of his defeat being issued, thousands of supporters stormed Congress that day. This sent lawmakers and Pence running for their lives.