Kemp skips special session on powers

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has decided against calling a special session of the General Assembly to limit the powers of the incoming governor or to change redistricting maps. This decision follows Tuesday's election, which resulted in major victories for Democrats across the state.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Kemp confirmed that he will respect the election results and uphold state laws during the leadership transition. He noted that the voters have spoken and that the state will abide by its constitution as long as he holds the office.

Kemp explicitly ruled out convening lawmakers in Atlanta to reduce the authority of the governor's office before Keisha Lance Bottoms takes the oath in January. Bottoms won the governor's race on Tuesday, becoming the first woman elected to lead Georgia. Kemp's statement also closed the door on a special session specifically for reconsidering political district boundaries.

The governor did not specify if lawmakers had formally requested such a session or if specific proposals were on the table. He clarified that his office will continue to monitor the state's fiscal outlook and keep partners in the General Assembly informed. Kemp indicated that budgetary issues might still require lawmakers to return before the regular session convenes in January.

The regular legislative session is scheduled to begin in January 2027. Kemp's statement establishes that any special session called before that time will focus on other matters, not on restricting executive branch powers or redrawing district maps. This decision comes after previous discussions where House Speaker Jon Burns had nixed redistricting for a special session.

Kemp's office will evaluate the state's financial situation in the coming days. The governor said his team will keep legislators apprised of the fiscal outlook. He did not identify the specific budgetary concerns or set a timeline for a decision on a potential fiscal special session.