Can Stacey Abrams’ policies beat Brian Kemp’s record?

July 26, 2022

Also inside today’s edition of Swing State Georgia:

• A rebuke for Georgia’s lead Trump investigator.

• Rep. Jody Hice can’t avoid a subpoena.

• Marjorie Taylor Greene stays on the ballot.

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In the last few weeks, Stacey Abrams has put out a dizzying array of proposals for her bid for governor.

She highlighted a detailed criminal justice plan, called for a $1 billion tax refund, promised to hike the salaries of teachers and local law enforcement officials, and pressed for a gas tax break through the year’s end.

She’s pledged to ease college debt, expand Medicaid, roll back abortion restrictions and repeal pro-gun expansions. More policies are expected within days, including a package involving affordable housing.

Gov. Brian Kemp has answered each rollout with criticism – and crickets. He’s yet to announce a second-term agenda, running instead on his first-term record. That will soon change, as Kemp plans to soon detail specific items. But for now, it’s created a gap Abrams hopes to exploit.

“Brian Kemp still doesn’t have a single plan on his website for what he intends to do for the state of Georgia,” Abrams tweeted this week. That echoed an earlier interview with your insiders that accused Kemp of trying to “coast” to a second term.

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Ahead in the polls, Kemp feels no urgency to unveil sweeping proposals in July. His Republican allies say he should stay the course.

“A leader’s track record is more important than their website, especially over the last four years,” said Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan.

Chris Riley, who was Gov. Nathan Deal’s top aide for two terms, said Kemp’s focus on the economy, public safety and education is apparent to voters.

“I can’t think of a stronger agenda for a second term than to maintain that exact focus,” Riley said.

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WILLIS BLOCKED. In a huge victory for GOP state Sen. Burt Jones, Fulton Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney blocked Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis and her team from investigating Jones’ involvement in former President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 general election.

Our colleague Tamar Hallerman reported that Jones, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, successfully argued that a fundraiser Willis hosted for his opponent, Democratic Charlie Bailey, created an untenable conflict of interest.