Brian Porter Kemp (born November 2, 1963) is an American businessman and politician serving as the 83rd governor of Georgia since January 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Kemp served as the 27th secretary of state of Georgia from 2010 to 2018, and as a member of the Georgia State Senate from 2003 to 2007. Born in Athens, Georgia, Kemp is a graduate of the University of Georgia. Before entering politics, he owned several agribusinesses, financial services, and real estate companies. In 2002, he was elected to the Georgia State Senate. In 2010, Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Kemp secretary of state of Georgia after Karen Handel resigned to run for governor. Kemp was elected to a full term as Georgia secretary of state in 2010 and reelected in 2014.