Mar 22, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Trump endorses primary challenger to Georgia secretary of state

Jody Hice.

Georgia Rep. Jody Hice. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Former President Trump on Monday endorsed Rep. Jody Hice (R-Ga.) in his bid to unseat Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who refused to overturn the state's 2020 election results.

The big picture: Even after leaving office, Trump has continued to attack Republicans who did not give credence to his false claim that the election was rigged — like Raffensperger and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.

  • The former president has continued to wield considerable clout over the GOP with a series of endorsements, primarily targeting Republicans who voted to impeach or convict him, writes Axios' Jonathan Swan.

What he's saying: "Jody has been a steadfast fighter for conservative Georgia values and is a staunch ally of the America First agenda. Unlike the current Georgia Secretary of State, Jody leads out front with integrity." Trump wrote in a news release sent by his PAC, Save America.

  • "I have 100% confidence in Jody to fight for Free, Fair, and Secure Elections in Georgia, in line with our beloved U.S. Constitution."
  • "Jody will stop the Fraud and get honesty into our Elections! Jody loves the people of Georgia, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement."

Worth noting: Raffensperger's office recently confirmed that it is investigating Trump's efforts to overturn the state's election, including a January phone call between Trump and Raffensperger during which the former president asked him to "find" enough votes to flip the result.

Go deeper: Inside the GOP courtship of Trump's endorsement

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