When former President Donald Trump rattled off his enemies list during his long-awaited address to CPAC late Sunday, the name of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp wasn’t among the 17.
But, oh, he’s still on the list.
In fact, if Trump gets his way and his friend of 38-years, football great and 1982 University of Georgia Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker, enters the 2022 gubernatorial race, Kemp will be the former president’s top target.
“President Trump would look very favorably on a Herschel Walker run for governor of Georgia,” a Trump source told us, adding, “He really likes the idea.”
Let’s Fight for America and fight to preserve our Constitution! pic.twitter.com/kFd4HclYZE
— Herschel Walker (@HerschelWalker) November 23, 2020
Not only does Trump want to beat Kemp, who he feels did little to reverse President Biden’s win in Georgia, but he’d also like to sideline Democrat Stacey Abrams, who is expected to seek the Democratic nomination.
Walker has also been wooed to run for Senate in 2022, but there are two other Trump-aligned candidates eyeing that race.
Walker is one of Trump’s oldest associates. Their friendship dates to 1983, when Trump signed him to his New Jersey Generals team, part of the short-lived United States Football League.
They have stayed close ever since. Walker campaigned for and with Trump in 2020.
While he now lives near Dallas, who he played for in the NFL, Walker has a business in Georgia and maintains deep roots in the state that still adores him for his college exploits.
“That won’t be an issue,” a Trump ally told us.
In a recent 2022 poll, Kemp and Abrams were close, and Walker was 25 points behind Kemp.
But that’s where Trump would come in. He continues to have strong and wide support in the state, though both of his Senate candidates lost in a January runoff. If Walker entered the race, Georgia would become the former president’s priority — and an easy ride from his Florida home.
“He’s like a horse tied up in the pen. He’s ready to stretch out his legs,” said an associate.
