President Donald Trump on Wednesday endorsed Brian Kemp, a candidate running for governor of Georgia who released campaign ads of himself "rounding up illegals" in his pickup truck.
Trump tweeted his support of Kemp on Wednesday afternoon, giving the candidate his "full and total endorsement," just days ahead of the state's primary election next week.
Brian Kemp is running for Governor of the great state of Georgia. The Primary is on Tuesday. Brian is tough on crime, strong on the border and illegal immigration. He loves our Military and our Vets and protects our Second Amendment. I give him my full and total endorsement.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2018
Kemp is running in the Republican primary in Georgia's gubernatorial election. The former Georgia secretary of state made waves when he aired campaign advertisements showing himself starting his pickup truck and saying that he will use it to "round up criminal illegals and take them home myself."
The video also showcased Kemp holding a gun, which he says "no one will take away" and holding a chainsaw that will help him "rip up" government regulations. The theme of the ad was "so conservative."
It's not the first time that Kemp aired a controversial ad. Earlier in his campaign, he aired a commercial in which he was pointing a gun at a teenage boy who wanted to take one of his daughters on a date.
Some Georgia viewers disliked the ad so much they called on their local NBC affiliate station to stop airing it, The Hill reported at the time.
I'm a conservative businessman with a 4-Point Plan to put hardworking Georgians first. I'm also the proud father of 3 teenage girls. Here's the thing: If you want to date one of my daughters, you better have respect for women & a healthy appreciation for the 2nd Amendment. #gapol pic.twitter.com/dQvvfk06Rh
— Brian Kemp (@BrianKempGA) April 27, 2018
A recent poll conducted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Channel 2 Action News showed that Kemp holds a narrow 3.5-percentage point lead over his primary opponent, Casey Cagle. Whoever wins the primary on July 24 will go on to face Democrat Stacey Abrams in November's general election.
Trump's tweet Wednesday was just the latest occasion that he has taken to Twitter in an attempt to sway Republican voters ahead of a primary election. He used a similar move during June's primary election in South Carolina, endorsing Katie Arrington over Mark Sanford in their Republican primary race for Congress.
Congratulations to Corey Stewart for his great victory for Senator from Virginia. Now he runs against a total stiff, Tim Kaine, who is weak on crime and borders, and wants to raise your taxes through the roof. Don’t underestimate Corey, a major chance of winning!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 13, 2018
Arrington, a political newcomer, ended up beating Sanford by a 51-47 percent margin, according to the Associated Press. In her victory speech, she touted that she and her supporters were "the party of Donald J. Trump." Sanford credited his loss to the Republican Party's "blind loyalty" to President Trump.
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