‘In Georgia, Mr. Trump is very likely to face his largest rebuke’ expert says

EVANSTON, Ill. – Several states will hold key primary elections on Tuesday. Georgia’s highly contested Republican race pits incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp against David Perdue, who has the backing of former President Trump. Northwestern University political science professor Alvin Tillery is available to comment on Georgia’s gubernatorial primary election and what it may signal for the GOP. 

Alvin B. Tillery Jr. is an associate professor of political science and director of the Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy. His research and teaching interests are in the fields of American politics and political theory. His research focuses on American political development, racial and ethnic politics and media and politics. He can be reached at alvin.tillery@northwestern.edu or by calling Stephanie Kulke at 847-491-4819. 

Quote from Professor Tillery

“Tomorrow’s primary contest in Georgia will be yet another test of former President Donald Trump’s power to shape the fortunes of Republican candidates in the current cycle. Mr. Trump has had a mixed record in the current cycle. His endorsement of J.D. Vance in the Ohio Senate primary is his big win thus far. In other states, however, Mr. Trump’s endorsement has proven to be far less powerful than anyone would have predicted going into the cycle.

“In Georgia, Mr. Trump is very likely to face his largest rebuke from Republican primary voters as the polls are showing that Governor Brian Kemp, whom Mr. Trump has targeted with an irrational attempt to gain retribution for his loss in Georgia’s 2020 presidential election, is leading Mr. Trump’s handpicked candidate by double digits. The most important thing to watch if Mr. Kemp does beat his opponent on Tuesday is whether it will lead to Mr. Trump’s downfall as a player in Republican primary politics.”