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Ugly GOP runoff looms as Cagle, Kemp attack

The July 24 GOP runoff is already underway in Georgia's nationally watched governor's race.
Brian Kemp

ATHENS, GA -- The Republican gubernatorial runoff may get ugly fast. The two survivors of yesterday’s primary exchanged barbs Wednesday in separate interviews with 11Alive news. Lt. Governor Casey Cagle coasted to the top spot last night – but because he stayed below fifty percernt, he will have a runoff with secretary of state Brian Kemp.

Cagle mostly stuck to the high road during his primary night celebration among supporters in his hometown of Gainesville. But after the night ended, Cagle awoke with his sights set on Kemp, and their July runoff.

"I think there’s going to be a very stark contrast between my record and his record," Cagle said. "His record of really not being competent in the position by which he has been elected to as Secretary of State.

Cagle aims to spend the next two months reminding voters of a 2015 data leak from the Secretary of State’s office that released social security numbers of millions of Georgia voters. "There’s no excuse. If you were in the private sector, you would be fired," Cagle said.

Kemp said he was expecting attacks on that issue. "Oh yes. I’m looking forward to that debate. I’ve got a strong record," Kemp said, adding he handled the data leak by owning up to and fixing the problems that produced it. He also fired an employee he said was responsible for the leak.

'You're going to have issues when you’re an executive branch leader, like myself or the governor. And it’s important for people to know how you respond," Kemp said.

Kemp also had a good night Tuesday, comfortably making the Republican runoff. He set his sights on Cagle right away, saying the Lt. Governor will have to answer for his own issues – including a shift in his position on expanding gun rights. Kemp wants to eliminate handgun carry permits; Cagle told 11Alive News last month he wasn't in favor of eliminating permits, but now says he would sign a "constitutional carry" bill.

"That’s why you need to have a consistent conservative that’s not going to say one thing one week and then, when he gets hammered over it, change his mind," Kemp said.

Asked about it Wednesday, Cagle said "if the legislature passes a constitutional carry bill, I will sign it. Plain and simple."

Cagle and Kemp say Republicans need to nominate their strongest candidate to beat Democrat Stacey Abrams in November. They’ll spend the next eight weeks disagreeing over who that is.

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