The Republican gubernatorial runoff entered its final hours on Sunday, with Brian Kemp, leading in a new 11Alive poll, holding a rally in a city whose police department is embroiled in a national controversy.
Kemp is facing Casey Cagle in Tuesday's runoff to determine who will face Democrat Stacey Abrams this fall in the nation's most watched governor's race.
On Sunday, Kemp held a rally in Roswell, where he received an endorsement from the city’s mayor. The endorsement came after he's already received an endorsement from President Donald Trump and a Saturday campaign appearance from Vice President Mike Pence.
The city of Roswell is embroiled in a national controversy after two videos surfaced showing controversial arrests from members of its police department.
Kemp told his supporters one of his priorities is public safety reform.
Kemp's rally was happening around the same time another protest -- this one, to protest police brutality -- was happening in Midtown.
“You have bad apples who need to be held accountable," Kemp said. "But it doesn’t mean we don’t need to stand up for those who are literally trying to be shut down in cold blood trying to protect our community.
"You have to have that balance and hold people accountable, but it no way diminishes the support that we have for the men and women in blue and our troops,” Kemp said.
Kemp's endorsement from Roswell Mayor Lori Henry displeased some people in the city.
“I really truly do appreciate the democratic process and I am more than willing to do this for both sides of the aisle,” Henry said.
The mayor's position is non-partisian but Henry said she’s always supported Kemp and the campaign reached out to her about hosting a rally.
“I've supported Kemp for years. I’ve known him for years. I know that he will do what is right for the city of Roswell and the state,” she said.
