Brian Kemp

Several U.S. states, including Republican-led Georgia and Tennessee, as well as Democratic-led Maryland and Virginia, have enacted laws to expand or protect access to contraception. Measures include allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control, mandating insurance coverage, and requiring educational institutions to report on contraception access.

Governor Brian Kemp met with OpenAI and Georgia Power in Atlanta to discuss the company's business plans, including potential data center projects and economic development in Georgia. OpenAI's representatives included leaders in site readiness and development, while the meeting's details remain unclear. The state has an Office of Artificial Intelligence and OpenAI is involved in a national data center project with Oracle and SoftBank.

Georgia’s ballot QR code bill, which allows continued use of QR codes until 2028, includes a last-minute amendment requiring a focus on hand-marked paper ballot systems and on-demand printing. The amendment, introduced by Rep. Tim Fleming, narrows the scope of a committee tasked with selecting Georgia’s next voting system, prompting criticism from Rep. Saira Draper over reduced transparency.

Georgia lawmakers have delayed replacing QR code-based vote-counting systems until 2028, maintaining their use for the 2022 midterms. The legislation limits hand recounts to eight statewide races under specific margin conditions, drawing opposition from Democrats who argue it risks election integrity.

Georgia will retain its QR code-based vote-counting system for the 2022 midterms after lawmakers delayed a fix until 2028. The legislation limits hand recounts to eight statewide races with margins within 0.5%, excluding U.S. Senate and House contests. Republican lawmakers supported the delay, while Democrats argued it risks election integrity and could sow doubt in results.

Georgia Republicans blocked a Democratic attempt to override Governor Brian Kemp's veto of a Republican-sponsored bill requiring specific funds for state agencies to be kept in separate accounts. The bill, vetoed by Kemp for interfering with executive oversight, was one of 12 vetoes this year. The veto override attempt, the first since 2008, was thwarted by the bill's Republican sponsor, who stated implementation discussions with the governor were ongoing.

Georgia Democrats oppose a bill requiring hand recounts of ballots in the 2022 midterm elections, which Republicans in the Georgia Senate approved as part of legislation to retain ballot QR codes. The bill delays a deadline for replacing QR codes but introduces a hand recount for key races, raising concerns about error rates and election chaos.

Georgia Democrats oppose a Senate amendment requiring hand recounts for top races in November, which was added to a bill extending the deadline to phase out ballot QR codes. The amendment faces criticism for risking election chaos and errors, while Republicans argue it enhances voter confidence. Georgia's current system uses QR codes, which have been criticized by Trump and election advocates.

Gov. Brian Kemp vetoed $13 million in new state funding for domestic violence, sexual assault, and child advocacy programs, exacerbating strain on organizations already facing rising demand and declining support. The funding was part of a budget aimed at offsetting a $1.3 billion deficit from an income tax package, leaving shelters like The Haven in Valdosta to operate beyond capacity and seek cost-cutting measures.

Georgia Democrats have blocked Republican-led efforts to pass local property tax referendums during a special session, arguing the measures would shift tax burdens to lower-income residents. Republicans claim the proposals aim to provide property tax relief by allowing communities to vote on sales tax increases, but the measures failed in both chambers, with lawmakers vowing to continue efforts in a session without a set end date.

Georgia lawmakers passed the Sickle Cell Disease Protection Act, requiring annual Medicaid coverage reviews for sickle cell treatments, with bipartisan support and signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp. Similar laws exist in Louisiana, Virginia, and Tennessee, but the author urges more states to follow to improve access to new treatments.

Georgia Republican lawmakers Jon Burns and Larry Walker announced they will not pursue redistricting efforts during a special session, citing pending legal cases. They shifted focus to property tax relief, gas tax suspension, and a July 1 deadline for removing QR codes from ballots.

Georgia lawmakers advanced a bill to delay removing QR codes from ballots until 2028, passing it through the Senate Ethics Committee in an 8-4 vote. The bill aims to address a funding shortfall for updating voting equipment, which currently relies on Dominion Voting Systems' ballot-marking devices. The measure follows failed attempts to resolve the issue during the 2026 legislative session.

Georgia GOP abandoned a redistricting plan that would have reduced Black representation. The plan, part of a special session called by Gov. Brian Kemp to secure additional House seats for Republicans in the 2028 elections, was halted by lawmakers.

Georgia's Republican legislative leaders rejected Gov. Brian Kemp's call to redraw congressional and legislative districts during a special session, citing concerns over the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which weakened federal Voting Rights Act protections for minority voters. They prioritized economic matters over partisan redistricting and delayed changes for the 2028 elections.

Georgia Republican lawmakers withdrew plans to redraw congressional and state district lines for the 2028 election during a special session, citing pending legal cases. They shifted focus to property tax relief, gas tax suspension, and ballot QR code removal instead of redistricting.

Georgia's Republican legislative leaders rejected Governor Brian Kemp's proposal to redraw congressional and legislative districts for the 2028 elections, citing concerns over a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that weakened Voting Rights Act protections. House Speaker Jon Burns stated lawmakers would prioritize economic issues over redistricting, which could be revisited later, and highlighted pending litigation and the need to understand the court's impact on racial considerations in map-drawing.

Georgia Republicans have postponed redistricting plans for now. Gov. Brian Kemp initiated a session to create legislative maps for 2028 that would benefit Republicans.

Lawmakers in Georgia will convene for a special legislative session to adjust election systems and redraw congressional and state legislative districts. The U.S. Supreme Court recently invalidated Louisiana’s majority Black congressional districts as unconstitutional racial gerrymandering, influencing Georgia’s potential redistricting decisions to prioritize party representation over racial demographics.

President Donald Trump's endorsed candidates won two of three Republican runoffs in Georgia and Alabama, but lost the gubernatorial race to billionaire Rick Jackson, who spent over $100 million. In Alabama, Trump-backed Rep. Barry Moore defeated rival Jared Hudson in a Senate runoff. In Georgia, Rep. Mike Collins, endorsed by Trump, won a Senate race but lost the gubernatorial runoff to Rick Jackson, while Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, also endorsed by Trump, was defeated.

Georgia's Republican-led legislature is beginning a redistricting session to redraw voting districts after the U.S. Supreme Court weakened the Voting Rights Act, but no proposed maps have been released yet. The session aims to create districts for the 2028 elections, sparking criticism over lack of transparency and potential dilution of nonwhite voters' political power.

Georgia Republicans are beginning a redistricting session without proposed maps, following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which invalidated a congressional map for racial gerrymandering. Outgoing Gov. Brian Kemp aims to delay new district lines until 2028, but Democrats and activists criticize the lack of transparency.

Georgia Republicans are beginning a redistricting session to redraw voting districts, potentially reducing political power for Black and nonwhite voters, following a Supreme Court decision that weakened Voting Rights Act protections. The session, called by outgoing Governor Brian Kemp, lacks proposed maps, frustrating Democrats and activists who demand transparency. The process could set a precedent for applying the court's ruling to state legislative maps in Southern states with high Black voter populations.

Rep. Mike Collins won Georgia's Republican Senate nomination, defeating Derek Dooley and set to face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. Collins, endorsed by Trump, campaigns as a MAGA supporter, while Dooley did not support Trump's 2020 election claims. Rick Jackson also won the GOP governor nomination.

Billionaire Rick Jackson defeated Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R) in the Georgia GOP governor’s runoff. Burt Jones was endorsed by Gov. Brian Kemp and President Trump in the competitive race.

Billionaire Rick Jackson defeated Trump-backed Burt Jones in Georgia's GOP gubernatorial primary using over $100 million of personal funds. Trump and Gov. Brian Kemp endorsed Jones, but Jackson's spending influenced other races. He will face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms in November.

Burt Jones lost the Georgia GOP governor's runoff to Rick Jackson, a healthcare executive and billionaire. The loss is a major blow to President Trump, adding another statewide loss to his primary scorecard.

Congressman Mike Collins won the Republican primary runoff to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in November. Collins received a last-minute endorsement from President Donald Trump and will face Ossoff, a top fundraising candidate, in a high-stakes Senate race. The race is critical for Republicans aiming to retain control of the Senate.

Republican Rep. Mike Collins, a MAGA supporter, won the GOP Senate nomination in Georgia's runoff election against former football coach Derek Dooley. Collins will face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November, a race critical to determining the Senate's majority. Trump endorsed Collins late in the campaign, while Dooley received backing from Governor Brian Kemp.

Mike Collins won the Georgia GOP Senate runoff against Derek Dooley, aided by an endorsement from President Donald Trump. The victory sets up a general election matchup with Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, who has amassed significant campaign funds. Collins' campaign faced internal controversy over a vulgar social media post by his aide, but he aligned with Trump's political team to secure the nomination.

Primary elections in Alabama, Oklahoma, and Georgia are testing Donald Trump's influence in Republican primaries. The outcomes in Georgia's gubernatorial runoff and other races will determine if Trump's endorsements can overcome financial resources and insider status. Democratic primaries also face divisions between progressives and moderates.

Georgia Republicans are deciding Senate and governor nominees in runoffs, with President Donald Trump endorsing Rep. Mike Collins for Senate and Burt Jones for governor. Outgoing Gov. Brian Kemp later endorsed Jones, while billionaire Rick Jackson's $100 million campaign challenges both races. The Senate race is critical for Democrats to retain Jon Ossoff's seat, with Collins and Dooley debating electability and ethics.

Georgia Republicans are selecting Senate and governor nominees in runoffs influenced by Trump's endorsements and competing candidates like Rick Jackson. The Senate race is critical for Democrats needing to retain Jon Ossoff's seat, with candidates emphasizing electability and contrasting policies.

Georgia Republicans are deciding Senate and governor nominees in runoffs influenced by Trump's endorsements. Candidates include Mike Collins and Derek Dooley for Senate, and Burt Jones facing Rick Jackson in the governor's race. Trump's support for Collins and Jones contrasts with Rick Jackson's significant financial investment in his campaign.

President Trump and Gov. Brian Kemp are opposing each other in Georgia's GOP Senate primary, with Trump endorsing Rep. Mike Collins and Kemp supporting former college football coach Derek Dooley. The race highlights a Republican Party leadership conflict.

Representative Mike Collins has President Trump’s endorsement for the Republican Senate nomination in Georgia. Derek Dooley has the backing of Gov. Brian Kemp.

Brian Kemp's political influence faces scrutiny as Georgia Republicans navigate Senate and gubernatorial runoffs. Kemp supported Derek Dooley for Senate against Jon Ossoff while President Trump endorsed rival Mike Collins, creating tension. Kemp also endorsed Burt Jones for governor, aligning with Trump in that race.

Georgia lawmakers are preparing for another redistricting special session, with the Republican-controlled Legislature potentially reducing minority voting power to gain a partisan advantage. The current maps, redrawn in 2023 under federal court order to protect Black Georgians' voting strength, remain under appeal. A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais has shifted the legal standard for challenging gerrymandered districts.

Governor Brian Kemp endorsed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in Georgia’s Republican primary runoff for governor, citing electability as the key factor. Kemp also campaigned for former football coach Derek Dooley in the U.S. Senate race, but his Senate candidate faced a setback after President Donald Trump endorsed Mike Collins. Jones, the Trump-backed candidate, faces Rick Jackson in the governor’s race, while Kemp highlighted policy contrasts between Jones and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Georgia's Republican primary runoff highlights internal party divisions and unexpected alliances as candidates compete for Senate and governor positions. President Donald Trump and outgoing Gov. Brian Kemp split endorsements, with Trump backing Rep. Mike Collins for Senate and Kemp supporting Derek Dooley. Both leaders endorse Lt. Gov. Burt Jones for governor, while billionaire Rick Jackson challenges him.