Republican women blast Amico’s #MeToo dig at Kemp

Sarah Riggs Amico, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, said the state should standardize how it responds to sexual harassment complaints and beef up training. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

Sarah Riggs Amico, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, said the state should standardize how it responds to sexual harassment complaints and beef up training. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

Dozens of conservative women on Wednesday condemned Democrat Sarah Riggs Amico's remarks that Republican Brian Kemp might not "make it four years" in the #MeToo era.

Conservative activist Julianne Thompson said Amico, the nominee for lieutenant governor, has “intellectually insulted Georgia voters” by suggesting that Kemp could get sidelined by the movement.

“As the mother of two children, it is terrifying that we live in an atmosphere where the left attempts to use the politics of lies and threats in an attempt to try and destroy those who stand in their way of power,” said Thompson.

Amico made the remarks in Ellijay while addressing the purpose of the state’s No. 2 office, saying an abrupt departure of a governor is usually a “very unlikely event.”

“But let’s be honest,” she added. “If we had Governor Brian Kemp in the #MeToo era, I’m not sure there’s a guarantee he’ll make it four years. Or scandals, or what have you. Stuff happens.”

Amico has denied trying to cast aspersions on the Republican candidate for governor, saying that a longer version of the clip – which has not yet surfaced – would have made that clear.

“There are a number of things that can happen – whether you have a governor who is incapacitated, whether you have somebody who’s plucked up for a cabinet-level position by the president,” she said.

Joining Thompson were more than 50 GOP activists, including Republican National Committeewoman Ginger Howard, who called Amico’s comments “ridiculous not to mention slanderous” and activist Rebecca Yardley, a survivor of sexual assault.

“As a father of three young women, Brian Kemp takes the #MeToo movement seriously and personally,” said former state Rep. Charlice Byrd. “Rest assured that during his four years as governor, women will be respected and valued throughout state of Georgia.”