Outgoing Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (R) has declined to convene a special legislative session that would have sought to limit the authority of Governor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) and address redistricting. In a statement reported by CBS News, Kemp said, "I will not be calling a special session of the Georgia General Assembly in order to curtail executive branch powers or debate redistricting changes. The voters of our state have spoken."
Kemp emphasized his commitment to respecting election outcomes, stating, "As long as I'm governor, we will always respect the results of secure, accessible, and fair elections, and also abide by the laws and constitution of our state." However, he left the door open for lawmakers to tackle Georgia's budget before the new administration takes office in January.
The decision comes after Bottoms defeated Republican Rick Jackson in the gubernatorial race, flipping the governor's mansion for Democrats for the first time in over two decades. According to the National Governors Association, this marks the first Democratic victory in a Georgia gubernatorial contest since 1998.
Earlier this year, Kemp had scheduled a redistricting session for June following a Supreme Court ruling that weakened key provisions of the Voting Rights Act. He had urged lawmakers to consider redrawing district lines before the 2028 election cycle, arguing that the high court's decision "requires" new maps. However, the timeline proved too tight for the May primaries.
Republican leaders in the state House, including Speaker Jon Burns, had previously tabled the redistricting effort, saying it was "not the right path forward for our state at the time." Burns stressed the importance of a thoughtful, fact-driven process, noting that "changes to our district maps have the potential to impact every voter in Georgia" and announced plans for public hearings on the matter.
Despite publicly disagreeing with the decision to postpone, Kemp acknowledged that redistricting ultimately falls under the legislature's purview. By declining to call a special session, he effectively leaves the issue for the incoming administration and the next legislature to address.
The move is seen as a significant concession by Kemp, who could have used the session to enact measures that would have constrained Bottoms' executive authority. Political analysts view this as a rare instance of a governor respecting the transition of power without attempting to undermine the incoming administration.
Bottoms, who will assume office in January, has already begun outlining her policy priorities, including voting rights and economic development. Her victory, along with other Democratic gains in the state, signals a shifting political landscape in Georgia, a trend that has been building over recent election cycles.
As the state prepares for the transition, Kemp's decision to forgo the special session is likely to ease tensions between the outgoing and incoming administrations, allowing for a smoother handover of power.
