ATLANTA — Days are long and the years are short. Time reveals strengths and challenges we could never foresee.
The same is true for First Lady Mary Kemp.
“I can’t believe it’s been almost five-and-a-half years since he’s been in office,” she told 11Alive while reflecting on her husband Brian Kemp's time leading the state of Georgia.
“We’ve been through a lot,” she admitted. “It’s more challenging. The world is a tricky place.”
11Alive first spoke to Mrs. Kemp in the fall 2018 on the Kemp family farm in Athens. It was the final stretch of a close campaign filled with contention and controversy. But what was considered polarizing and intense then – seems tame to the tone and division of politics now.
“It prepared us for what was ahead,” she explained. “It’s been challenging, rewarding, but fun. Hard. Tears. Laughs. Memories. All of the above – and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Mrs. Kemp often says the governor’s office wasn’t in the marriage vows. She said she could have never imagined what she and her husband would face.
“I had no idea which was probably a good thing,” she joked.
Almost immediately, it became a whirlwind: 14 months to the day after being sworn as Georgia’s 83rd Governor, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic.
“We didn’t have time to really think about it because it was all so shocking,” she described. “’How in the world can we be in this position?’ and we had to take a deep breath.”
“If you had known there was a pandemic in the future,” we asked.
“That is a great question,” she replied with a pause. “We would have still fought hard continued to fight harder. To fight hard for all the people you met along the way.”
During the pandemic, there was a deep clash about the governor’s timing of reopening Georgia. Those frustrations were shared on paper.
“I did open a lot of mail along the way at that time,” Mrs. Kemp recalled. “And I tell you what – people weren’t as patient as they should have been. But that’s OK.”
“You aren’t going to make everyone happy,” she added. “They’re angry, and I understand that; but we listen.”
Criticism is part of the profession of politics. It came sharply – surrounding everything from the pandemic to Georgia’s role in the 2020 election. And personal jabs are expected from lawmakers to constituents. But not necessarily from a president in one’s own party.
The First Lady admitted all of it was challenging: “Situations that we would have never imagined you’d be put in and how you’d handle them.”
Kemp said it all takes her back to something she told 11Alive those years ago outside the family’s home, when all she asked was that “We respect each other and not be ugly.”
“That really stands out – really speaks loudly now,” she said. “I didn’t really realize what I was saying then was going to be such a part of this administration.”
“If he doesn’t do what you want him to do, I understand, but let’s agree to disagree,” Kemp added. “Let’s not be downright mean about it.”
Mrs. Kemp said the key to every valley and peak – has been sticking together. From private moments inside the governor’s mansion, to countless shared news events and podiums. It’s not uncommon to see the family unit so often together.
“I know!” she replied. “People ask me about that and say. ‘You’re always beside him.’”
“Why would I miss an opportunity to serve the state as well?” she asked.
Mrs. Kemp said she chooses to focus on her work: issues ranging from animals to the fight against human trafficking. She knows there is a lot of work still left to do: “But I feel like we’ve made a difference,” she said.
“It’s chiseling away,” she added. “I’d love to rid it from Georgia forever.”
Though she’s often a public face for the state at news conferences, what some may not know is that Mrs. Kemp also is behind-the-scenes, as well, attending policy meetings. When asked what made her want to be involved in that level, Mrs. Kemp said she just wanted to know how it all worked.
“I am very interested,” she explained. “My dad was in politics. I wished I paid more attention then. He was a Democrat and died as a Republican.”
Mrs. Kemp said being involved in politics, she’s seen her share of cynicism, but there is a lot of hope, too, that politics can work and policy can work.
“Absolutely. I know it,” she said emphatically. “I’ve seen it. I know these things can work.”
11Alive asked Mrs. Kemp to think back to herself five years ago, when she was poised to become First Lady, and what she would tell that version of herself.
“Oh, my goodness!” she exclaimed.
“Buckle your chin strap. It’s going to be quite a ride,” she joked, before adding, “enjoy and listen. Don’t talk so much. Listen to what people are saying, because you learn more when you listen.”
Right now, there’s no shortage of speculation in political circles about a run for higher office, someday. We asked how much of her space is thinking about the now versus what’s next?
“I don’t think about what’s next,” she said. “God is in control, I learned that early on.”
For now, Mrs. Kemp said they’re focused on the time they have left as First Lady and Governor.
“If he has something else in store for us ahead, then we’ll listen to Him. Because if He is going to bring you to it, He’ll get you through it,” she said assuredly. “I know that for a fact.”