Wealthy Republican businesswoman Kelly Loeffler was sworn in Monday as the newest senator from Georgia, a political newcomer who takes office amid a presidential impeachment, swirling tensions with Iran and at the dawn of what looms as a bruising national election.
Georgia GOP Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Loeffler to the vacant seat despite a preference by President Donald Trump and his conservative allies for Rep. Doug Collins, a Trump loyalist and top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee.
Kemp’s choice of Loeffler was seen as a bid to court suburban and female voters, many of whom have reacted to Trump’s harsh rhetoric and hard-right policies by moving away from the GOP.
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