Coming off the high of a successful 2024 election for Republicans, Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) wants to build off that momentum in the anticipated next big showdowns in gubernatorial races.
Kemp, chairman of the Republican Governors Association, is looking at how to win governor’s races in New Jersey and Virginia in 2025. This challenge shows opportunity for Republicans, given that Vice President Kamala Harris won both states but by smaller margins than President Joe Biden in 2020.
Despite the challenge, Kemp said he is highly motivated to secure GOP victories in both races next November.
“We’ve had great successes,” Kemp told Fox News Digital in a report published Friday. “We’re ready to keep working as we move into what will be a tough cycle for us in Virginia, in New Jersey, and then having 36 races in 2026.”
Kemp, who has feuded with President-elect Donald Trump since 2020 over the results of that election, said he was optimistic about taking New Jersey and Virginia because of his own reelection success in 2022, as well as the solid win that Trump had in Georgia this time around.
Trump won all seven battleground states, as well as the popular vote, on Nov. 5.
Kemp was elected to lead the RGA during last week’s organization meeting at Marco Island, Florida.
“My goal is for us to continue to raise enough money to be competitive,” said Kemp. “The Democrats are outspending us because they have big check writers, but we have a lot of really dedicated donors. We’ll try to continue to build the tent, make sure that we have good candidates, and win because our policies are better.”
In Virginia, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), former intelligence officer, and Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears (R-VA) have already thrown their names into the hat as top contenders.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) is term-limited from seeking a second term next year.
In New Jersey, a Republican has not governed the state since former President Barack Obama ran for a second term in 2012.
Outgoing incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) defeated his challenger in 2021, but with slim margins, which is not common in a blue state.
Democratic New Jersey Reps. Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer have announced their campaigns to replace Murphy, joining an already crowded field.
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Republican candidates include the 2021 Republican nominee for governor, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, radio talk show host Bill Spadea, former state Sen. Ed Durr, and state Sen. Jon Bramnick.
At present, Republican governors preside over 27 states, while the remainder are led by Democrats or Independents.