COVINGTON, Ga. - Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp brought his campaign to Covington Monday afternoon, stopping at Martin’s Crossing Shopping Center for a rally with an enthusiastic group of supporters.  He was joined by U.S. Rep. Jody Hice and outgoing Governor Nathan Deal, along with several GOP local and statewide elected officials.

Kemp told The Covington News his top priority is putting Georgians first.

“That delves into my whole four-point plan when you think about making Georgia number one for small business,” he said. “Reforming state government, implementing a spending cap so we can cut taxes, strengthen rural Georgia and keep out families safe.

“I’ve got two plans to stop and dismantle street gangs and go after drug cartels. But it’s really having a governor that will put Georgians first - ahead of special interests. And you know the strings are attached to the socialist billionaires' big checks they’re writing in California and New York. They don’t have an interest in what’s made Georgia great or what will keep it great. They want to go a completely different direction.

The Georgia Secretary of State also dismissed a suggestion from former President Jimmy Carter that he “step aside and hand over to a neutral authority the responsibility of overseeing the governor’s election.”

”That’s just a political stunt,” Kemp told The News. "He’s already endorsed Stacey Abrams. I think he’s just trying to distract from her extreme agenda- higher taxes, bigger government, radical takeover of healthcare, giving government benefits – welfare and free college- to illegals. Getting illegals to vote for her. I think all of that is just to drive their turnout.

“They’re pushing that narrative at the same time we’re having record turnout.  As of 3:30 p.m., there have been 112,000 people that have voted today (Monday). That’s as many as voted on the first day. It’s never been easier to vote in Georgia than it is right now.”

Early voting continues through Friday. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 6.