Politics

'We're moving forward:' Kemp lays out agenda for taking office

ATLANTA — A day after Stacey Abrams acknowledged his win in the gubernatorial election, Brian Kemp said he is ready to begin the transition to Georgia's 83rd governor. The state officially certified his victory over Abrams Saturday afternoon.

Channel 2 Action News was at the State Capitol as Kemp, standing at the podium with his three daughters, discussed his plan to unite Georgia.

"We're moving forward. It's been a long, tough process," Kemp said. "I certainly appreciate Stacey Abrams' tenacity. But I’m proud of what we’ve done, too. Now we are going to move forward."

Kemp said his priorities would be cutting taxes, focusing on rural health care, making Georgia No. 1 for small businesses and strengthening rural Georgia as a whole.

Brian Kemp News Conference

Brian Kemp is speaking at the state Capitol the morning after Stacey Abrams acknowledged he will be Georgia's next governor https://2wsb.tv/2QPWkzY

Posted by WSB-TV on Saturday, November 17, 2018

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Kemp asked Georgia residents to stand with him in the days ahead and put divisive politics behind. He said it's time to focus on the transition and put good people in place to work with the Legislature.

"It's a tough business, politics. But the fact of the matter is the election is over now, and I've got to focus on governing the state," Kemp said. "And that's exactly what I'm going to do."

Kemp is set to be sworn in as governor in mid-January.