Ad backing Kemp seeks end to ‘ugly attacks’

Screenshot of ad

Screenshot of ad

Supporters of Republican Brian Kemp are out with a new television ad that says the governor’s race should be about Georgia’s future, not “personal” and “ugly attacks.”

Kemp, currently Georgia secretary of state, his Democratic rival Stacey Abrams, and their respective backers have repeatedly hurled charges against each other, with the Kemp camp’s overarching claim that Abrams is “too extremist” and Abrams’ that Kemp “can’t be trusted.”

The new ad began airing in metro Atlanta on Tuesday, and it’s paid for by the Georgia Republican Party.

The plot

The ad opens with Kemp walking with his wife, daughters and dog. The narrator describes Kemp as a “husband, father and businessman.”

The camera then goes to a close-up of Kemp in a plaid, button-down shirt.

“It’s OK to disagree. Just do it on the facts and your beliefs,” Kemp tells the audience. “But you don’t have to get personal or ugly about it.”

The audience then sees shots of Kemp talking to people in a restaurant and businesses as the candidate says the campaign is about Georgia, job creation and educational opportunities.

“This is about where we go. It’s about our values and what kind of state we want to have, you know, almost a decade from now. And that’s why I’m running,” Kemp says.

The context

Kemp is calm and soft-spoken in the ad. That’s how he’s appeared in ads since he’s purposely tried to change his image in the GOP primary as a gun-toting, politically incorrect conservative. However, TV ads approved by Kemp have included charges that Abrams is backed by socialists and soft on sex offenders.

Watch the ad

See other ads from the campaigns.