Money Battle Brings Trouble To Kemp And Cagle In GOP Primary Runoff

Republican candidates for Georgia governor — Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, left, and Secretary of State Brian Kemp — speak during an Atlanta Press Club debate July 12. The two will face each other Tuesday in a runoff election for the Republican nomination, with the winner challenging Stacey Abrams in the November general election.

John Bazemore / Associated Press

The contest began focused on immigration enforcement and gun rights. But in its final weeks, the Republican primary runoff for governor in Georgia has pivoted to allegations of improper fundraising and calls on both sides for federal investigations.

Despite President Donald Trump’s recent endorsement of Secretary of State Brian Kemp, he and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle will likely continue to talk about how their opponent attracted campaign cash.

Both Kemp and Cagle face widespread criticism for how they’ve handled campaign fundraising during the gubernatorial election that is already the most expensive in Georgia history, four months before its November finale.