Gaetz: ‘Governor Kemp announces the funeral time & location for his political career’

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) took aim at Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) over reports Kemp plans to appoint business executive Kelly Loeffler — not Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee — to retiring Sen. Johnny Isakson’s (R-Ga.) seat in coming days

{mosads}Kemp’s office announced the governor is expected to make his pick official at a press conference scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday. Quoting a tweet containing information about the press conference, the Florida Republican alleged the move would take a toll on Kemp’s career. President Trump and other Republicans have pushed for Kemp to appoint Collins a Isakson’s successor.  

“Governor Kemp announces the funeral time & location for his political career,” he tweeted, shortly noting a number of top conservatives have called for Collins to be appointed.  

“On one side: @realDonaldTrump @seanhannity @GovMikeHuckabee @marklevinshow @RepDougCollins On the other…. @GovKemp.”  

Governor Kemp announces the funeral time & location for his political career. https://t.co/7aQHe53Cx0

— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) December 3, 2019

Gaetz, one of Trump’s closest allies in Congress and a colleague of Collins on the Judiciary Committee, has been heavily advocating for Collins in recent days.   

The push comes in the wake of reports of a tense meeting between Trump and Kemp at the White House in late November over who should be chosen to assume the role in the upper chamber.  

Collins, a vocal supporter of the president, is expected to play a leading role in defending the president as the impeachment inquiry moves to the Judiciary Committee. He is also seen by some as a potential key ally in voting against impeachment if he moves to the Senate. 

Collins has also not ruled out the possibility of running for the upper chamber if he is not appointed to the position.