Last of the Good Ol Boys?
In the era of Trump and fake news, the fight against Southern morals is changing like never before. The left is targeting what it means to be a “good ol’ boy,” while politicians like Representative Jason Spencer (GA- R) are giving them reason to. Meanwhile, politicians like Georgia’s Secretary of State Brian Kemp are becoming more and more unapologetic for their heritage and style. Love him or hate him, politicians like Brian Kemp are changing the future of politics by introducing a new sense of honesty.
Business owner and Athens, Georgia native Brian Kemp isn’t apologizing for being a true Georgian boy. A politician who would rather wear jeans, boots and a blazer, he talks about his plans if elected governor and about the fact he isn’t changing to please voters.
“I’m an unapologetic conservative. A proud, hardcore Trump supporter,” says Kemp. “My style is to be who I am and to say what I think, and sometimes that’s politically incorrect.”
Kemp beat out Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle in the Republican primary election and is facing Stacey Abrams, the Democratic nominee, for Georgia’s governor’s seat. As the race pushes forward, so does Kemp with his real-deal approach.
“I’ve worked hard all my life and people are ready for someone who will be real with them and say what they think,” says Kemp.
Kemp has taken a bold approach, shying away from the status quo and refusing to apologize for not trying to please everyone. His provocative television ads make it clear that he isn’t afraid of being himself.
During the primary, Kemp’s ads featured him with a shotgun on his lap interviewing a young man who wanted to date his daughter. Another showed him revving up a chainsaw to “rip up some regulations,” and in a pickup truck as he talked about rounding up “criminal illegals” and taking them “home” himself. He has no problem being the politically incorrect candidate.
While Kemp hasn’t pulled out a gun in front of constituents like South Carolina Representative Ralph Norman did earlier this year, he is like other candidates who aren’t afraid to say what they think, regardless of how it comes across. In an ad released days before the primary, he made it clear it wasn’t intended for anyone offended by his preference to stand up whenever the National Anthem is played. “I’m Brian Kemp, and I believe in God, family and country – in that order,” he says. “I say, ‘Merry Christmas,’ and ‘God bless you.’ I strongly support President Trump, our troops and ironclad borders. I stand for our national anthem. If any of this offends you, then I’m not your guy.”
He also made it clear, he isn’t the type of politician Cagle is.
“He would say things voters wanted to hear. I’m not going to be like that. People may not like the way I am or even the way I vote, but they respect me because I’m honest,” says Kemp. “One thing I’ve learned over the years in politics is you cannot fool voters and people are sick of politicians who try to do that. You’ve got to be yourself. People can live with that. What they don’t like is if you try to be something you’re not.”
In this new Trump-ian era, there definitely isn’t a shortage of politicians who are candid and show their true colors, especially President Trump. As political ads continue to flash across our televisions and politicians take to social media, tongue biting and worrying about being offensive seem to be going by the wayside. So, is the future of politics changing or has it already? We think it’s safe to answer yes to both.
Election Day is November 6. For all voting related needs, visit mvp.sos.ga.gov.
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