Kemp defeats Cagle to secure GOP gubernatorial nomination

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp handily defeated Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle to secure the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

Kemp takes on Democrat Stacey Abrams, Libertarian Ted Metz and independents Larry Odom and Rod Mack. With 46 percent of precincts reporting, Kemp had 68.4 percent of the vote, while Cagle had just 31.6 percent of the ballots cast.

Cagle seemed like the obvious choice to succeed Gov. Nathan Deal. The outgoing governor endorsed Cagle, but President Trump threw his support behind Kemp.

Plus, a secret recording of Cagle showed the lieutenant governor supported legislation he opposed to scuttle an opponent.

Kemp and Cagle were the top two vote-getters in May’s primary.