Georgia Republicans gathered in Columbus for a convention where they elected a conservative activist to the Republican National Committee. Amy Kremer, known for her involvement in organizing the Jan. 6, 2021, pro-Trump rally, secured one of the two RNC seats, while incumbent Committeeman Jason Thompson retained his position.
Kremer and other challengers criticized Thompson and Ginger Howard, the other incumbent, for not adequately supporting Donald Trump. They emphasized the grassroots' desire for confrontation with internal and external adversaries, despite calls for unity within the party.
Although Kremer was not part of the mob that stormed the Capitol, her group obtained the permit for the 'Save America' rally where Trump urged attendees to 'fight like hell.' She was actively involved in fundraising for the 'Stop the Steal' movement, which propagated the false claim that Biden's victory was illegitimate.
Party leaders had advised against electing Kremer, citing, among other concerns, unpaid Federal Election Commission fines associated with her and an affiliated group. Despite attacks on Thompson, including his family's ties to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, he was reelected by delegates.
Various speakers at the convention, including U.S. Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene, called for Republicans to set aside internal divisions and focus on winning the upcoming elections. Greene emphasized the importance of party unity to achieve success in November.
While some signs of unity were evident, divisions within the party were highlighted by the absence of Gov. Brian Kemp, who has faced criticism from Trump and some party leaders. The convention also saw discussions on key issues such as inflation and immigration, with Republicans aiming to attract voters who did not participate in the 2020 election or voted for Biden.
Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson emphasized the significance of economic issues in reaching undecided voters, urging the party to focus on matters that directly impact Americans' lives.
