United States President Donald Trump arrived at the Middle Georgia Regional Airport Nov. 4 to pledge support for Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp.
The president said that Kemp’s opponent, Democratic Minority House Leader Stacey Abrams, would endanger the historically red state with socialist policies and lax immigration laws.
“You put Stacey in there, and Georgia will turn into Venezuela. I don’t think the people of Georgia like that,” he said, apparently referring to the Central American nation’s economic crisis under socialist President Nicolas Maduro.
Abrams is running a bid to become the nation’s first African-American woman to serve as governor. She plans to grow Georgia’ alternative-energy industry, expand Medicaid and the HOPE scholarship, implement tighter gun laws, loosen marijuana restrictions and create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Trump warned supporters at the rally that Abrams’ policies would enable “illegal aliens” to bring drugs and crime into their cities.
“She’ll make your schools and neighborhoods unsafe and make your jobs disappear like magic,” he said.
On the other hand, Trump said, Kemp would make good on his platform promises to protect the second amendment, ban sanctuary cities, increase rural hospital tax credit programs, block access to abortion and strengthen state borders.
“I know Brian. This guy doesn’t stop,” he told a crowd decked out in red shirts and caps. “This is what you want. He’s an incredible manager. He’s been successful all the way up the line. He’ll bring it to heights you wouldn’t believe.”
Kemp took to the stage to thank President Trump for his support and to remind attendees to vote in the general election Nov. 6.
Supporters from across the South poured into Macon hours early for the rally, which began at 4 p.m. Cars were lined up over a mile down Terminal Drive from the airport, bearing posters with phrases such as “Women for Trump” and “Promises Made, Promises Kept.”
Mercer University sophomore Nathan Butka said he arrived at noon, an hour before doors even opened. For him, the rally was less about the historic election and more about POTUS.
“Going to see the president up close and personal has always been a dream of mine, and the experience exceeded my expectations,” Butka said. “From the moment President Trump stepped off Air Force 1, you could feel the crowd’s energy and pride.”
Trump endorses Georgia gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp in Sunday visit to Macon
Trump supporters who arrived too late to see the president in person gather to watch on screen. Photo by Emily Rose Thorne.
