DALTON, Ga. — It was a big day Thursday in the push for Georgia’s next governor.
With just days until the 2018 election, Republican candidate and Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp welcomed Vice President Mike Pence as he made campaign stops across the state.
[READ: 'This is a tight race' Oprah comes to Atlanta metro to stump for Stacey Abrams]
Channel 2 political reporter Richard Elliot was at the rally held in Dalton, where Pence told the crowd of about 3,500 people Kemp's support is key to what he and the president are trying to do in Washington.
Mike Pence campaigns for Brian Kemp in GeorgiaVice President Mike Pence is in Georgia campaigning for Republican candidate for governor Brian Kemp: 2wsb.tv/2RqC487
Posted by WSB-TV on Thursday, November 1, 2018
“Georgia and America need Brian Kemp to be the next governor of the great state of Georgia,” Pence said.
The vice president was hoping to energize his base so they will come out and vote in this still-tight race for governor.
Pence touted what he said are the Trump administration’s successes and told the crowd that Kemp is crucial to keeping that success moving forward.
[READ: NEW POLL: Race for Ga. governor as close as ever]
“It’s been two years of promises made and promises kept, and we’re just getting started. Georgia. That’s why we need Brian Kemp in the governor’s office,” Pence told the crowd.
Kemp told the supporters that he needed their vote now or on Election Day. New polls show he’s still neck and neck with Democrat Stacey Abrams.
"This is the fourth quarter. This is the fourth quarter. I need you to show up like the Dawgs did in Jacksonville last weekend,” Kemp said.
[READ: 1.5 million+ people have voted in GA with less than a week until Election Day]
After the rally, Pence and Kemp worked the rope line, even posing for selfies. While that was going on, Elliot spoke with Wayne Eason and his wife, Gail.
They’re both from the Dalton area and said they appreciated the vice president’s visit.
“I think Vice President Pence is an awesome person. He represents our president well, and I voted for Brian Kemp already,” Wayne Eason said.
[READ: Trump, Obama coming to Georgia to campaign for candidates in governor's race]
“I thought it was wonderful, because it was great for him to take the time to come to Georgia, and we need Brian Kemp in office, and it’s going to happen,” Gail Eason said.
After his stop in Dalton, Pence and Kemp flew to Grovetown outside of Augusta. Then they’re finishing their sweep through Georgia in Savannah.
Cox Media Group
