Brian Kemp’s campaign fundraising suspended until after GOP primary, judge rules

Gov. Brian Kemp’s reelection campaign must suspend its fundraising until the Republican primary election is decided in May, a federal judge ruled Thursday in a victory for likely Democratic opponent Stacey Abrams.

Georgians First, Kemp’s leadership committee, must wait until a GOP nominee is named before it can start collecting funds again, temporarily halting a major edge the governor had over other candidates. Under state law, the incumbent can collect unlimited donations during his campaign while opponents are limited until they are nominated, prompting criticism from candidates who said Kemp enjoyed an unfair advantage.