Pence to visit Atlanta, campaign for Kemp Thursday

ajc.com

Vice President Mike Pence plans to visit on Atlanta on Thursday, where he will visit a Delta Air Lines maintenance facility and headline a fundraiser for the Georgia Republican Party and GOP gubernatorial hopeful Brian Kemp.

Air Force Two is scheduled to arrive at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport at 1:40 p.m., according to a White House official, where Pence will be greeted by Kemp, state House Speaker David Ralston and Attorney General Chris Carr.

Pence is then scheduled to visit Delta's TechOps maintenance facility near the airport, which is home to a massive new engine repair shop. He'll also huddle with company leadership and speak to company employees.

Later in the day he’ll head to the Georgia GOP’s “Victory Dinner” in Buckhead, which will also feature Gov. Nathan Deal, Ralston and U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue.

The trip marks Pence's first trip to Georgia since July. He was slated to visit Atlanta last month but ultimately postponed due to Hurricane Florence.

The timing of Pence’s trip comes as another storm, Hurricane Michael, barrels toward the Florida Panhandle. Deal on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in 92 counties, all in central and southern Georgia. His visit also comes on the eve of Atlanta Pride, which could draw protests from people opposed to his stance on “religious liberty” legislation.

Seen as a litmus test for the 2020 presidential race, the gubernatorial election has attracted a string of high-profile politicians. On Tuesday alone, potential 2020 presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren headlined a rally for Democrat Stacey Abrams and Donald Trump Jr. visited Athens to address a Republican group and headline an event with Kemp.

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