Kemp rejects special redistricting session, congratulates Bottoms on win

ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said he will not be calling a special session to redraw the state’s political districts or “curtail executive branch powers” after Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms won the gubernatorial seat on Tuesday night.

In a statement on Wednesday, the outgoing governor congratulated Bottoms and Democrat Sen. Jon Ossoff, who kept his seat.

“Republicans now have the opportunity, and responsibility, to heed the will of voters and learn from last night’s results,” he said. “I firmly believe the conservative principles of our party lead to greater freedom, security, and prosperity for all Americans — and it’s time we get back to those principles in the months and years to come.”

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Kemp also thanked Rick Jackson, the Republican nominee for governor, and other GOP candidates for their “spirited campaigns.”

The comments come after Election Day resulted in a historic blue wave in Georgia and across the country. Democrats won down the ballot in Georgia’s statewide executive races.

Kemp did say, however, that budget problems may need to be addressed before the regular session begins in January.

After the U.S. Supreme Court narrowed the scope of the Voting Rights Act in April, Republican lawmakers called for a special session to redraw the state’s congressional and legislative district lines.

But later that month, Kemp said it was too late to draw new maps, as early voting was already underway. He added that Georgia must adopt new maps before the 2028 election cycle.