Trump to speak at GA GOP convention as charges loom in election probe
Former President to address GOP delegates in Columbus
Former President Donald Trump will address delegates at the Georgia Republican Party state convention next month. It will be his first time visiting Georgia in over a year, and it comes as Atlanta prosecutors are preparing to file charges in the investigation into his campaign’s attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
The GA GOP is set to elect new party officials and adopt their agenda at the annual meeting, which is being held in Columbus this year. Many top state Republican officials, including Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, had previously said that they will not be attending the convention.
But Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, a staunch Trump ally, will be in attendance. Firebrand U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Rome) is also expected to speak.
After the 2022 election, which saw Kemp and Raffensperger trounce Trump-backed primary challengers and defeat strong Democratic opponents, the pair began to separate themselves from the GA GOP as the state party began to embrace the hard-right.
Kemp in particular formed his own campaign apparatus and warned Republican presidential candidates to stop rehashing the 2020 election. He also hasn’t completely ruled out a presidential bid of his own.
Nevertheless, the former President remains the frontrunner for the Republican nomination. A recent poll from Landmark Communications found Trump with an 8-point lead in the Georgia Republican primary. He enjoys 40% support, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — his soon-to-be announced rival, clocks in at 32%.
Trump’s visit also comes as Atlanta prosecutors are nearing indictments in their election interference investigation. A special grand jury disbanded in January after spending months pouring over evidence and interviewing witnesses. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has signaled that indictments could be filed as early as July.
It is one of the many legal clouds hanging over the former President as he mounts his third campaign for the White House.