Governor Appoints Brian Kemp Secretary of State

ATLANTA –   Governor Sonny Perdue today announced that he is appointing former State Senator Brian Kemp as Secretary of State. Kemp, who served in the state senate from 2002 to 2006, is a current candidate for Secretary of State. He will serve out the remainder of the current term through the end of 2010. He will also continue his campaign this year and run for the full four-year term which begins in 2011.

“I have known Brian for several years, and he has shown a strong dedication and commitment to public service,” said Governor Perdue. “His leadership abilities and integrity will be a great asset to Georgia and the Secretary of State’s office.”

“I greatly appreciate the Governor’s confidence and am honored to serve the people of Georgia in this vital office,” Kemp said. “I will continue the honorable tradition of leadership demonstrated by Karen Handel, Cathy Cox, Lewis Massey, and others before them. I am eager to get started and deliver for the people of Georgia.”

Former Secretary of State Karen Handel stepped down last week to focus full time on her gubernatorial bid.

Kemp is a small business owner, specializing in real estate investments and property management, and serves on the board of St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens. In the state senate, Kemp served as Chair of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, Vice-chair of the Higher Education Committee, Secretary of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, and on the Appropriations Committee.

Kemp is married to the former Marty Argo. They have three daughters and live in Athens where they are active members of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia.

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