ATL Standard

In the first of three debates for the gubernatorial primary, Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) and his GOP primary challenger, former U.S. Sen. David Perdue, took to arguing over who was most responsible for the party’s 2020 and 2021 election losses.

Among arguments, FOX 5 Atlanta reports Perdue put the blame on Kemp for Democratic control in Washington, while the governor alleged that Perdue was merely attempting to pass on the blame for his loss to Democrat Jon Ossoff. 

"I don’t need to be lectured by someone (who) lost their last election about what our voting laws are and who has responsibilities for those in our state," Kemp said during the debate, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.

Gov. Brian Kemp | Governor Brain Kemp/Facebook

Throughout the debate, Perdue continued to support debunked claims that Democrats did not legitimately win the 2020 presidential election or the 2021 U.S. Senate runoffs in Georgia. Kemp argued that Perdue was lying to voters by claiming he allowed a settlement agreement over how signatures on absentee ballots were verified in elections.

Federal and state election officials, as well as former President Donald Trump’s attorney general, have said there is no credible evidence that the 2020 election had been stolen. 

Republicans Catherine Davis, Kandiss Taylor and Tom Williams — who were excluded from Sunday’s debate — will join the ballot alongside Kemp and Perdue. While Perdue has earned the endorsement of Trump, the governor has maintained the lead in fundraising and the polls as he remains hopeful for a second term. 

The next debate is scheduled for May 1 in Savannah, and voters are slated to go to the polls on May 24. A runoff is scheduled for June 21, if needed.