Brian Kemp was officially sworn in as Georgia’s governor on Monday. The official proceedings began at 10 a.m., and the official swearing-in took place a few hours later at the McCamish Pavilion at Georgia Tech at 2 p.m.

Kemp’s victory in the governor’s race came after his democratic challenger Stacey Abrams hinted at contesting the election’s results last fall, and even vowed to pursue a federal lawsuit against the state of Georgia.

Kemp won 50.22 percent of the final tally, just barely avoiding a runoff election.

Blaine Salter, Chairman of Georgia Southern University’s College Republicans, shared his thoughts on Kemp’s win and official swearing-in.

“I’m confident that Governor Kemp will continue the progress made by former governors Sonny Perdue and Nathan Deal,” Salter said. “I’m also very pleased to see that he has named State Representatives Lott, Rogers, Reeves, and LaRiccia to serve as his Floor Leaders in the State House and State Senators Tillery and Strickland as his Floor Leaders in the State Senate. I know these great leaders and the other members of the General Assembly will assist our new Governor in accomplishing legislation that keeps Georgia moving in the right direction.”

Eduardo Delgado, president of GSU’s Young Democrats, shared his hopes regarding Kemp’s governorship.

“One thing he boasted about was that he would bring economic prosperity to Georgia,” Delgado said. “I hope he does get that. Another thing is his rural broadband policy, I also hope he does do that.”

On the issue of teacher pay, which Kemp pledged to raise during his campaign, Delgado said teachers who put time and effort in are not fairly compensated.

“I’m hoping that he does fund it more,” Delgado said. “If he wants to increase teacher pay, he won’t have people in the way.”

In addition to raising teacher pay and bringing broadband to rural areas of the state, Kemp’s campaign promises include cracking down on street gangs, overhauling sexual harassment policy, enacting restrictions on abortion, expanding gun rights and cutting overall state spending.

Kemp addressed the state on Monday in his inaugural address and first speech as governor, in which he pledged to fight for all Georgians, “not just the ones who voted for me,” and doubled down on his promise to fully fund education.

Nathan Weaver, The George-Anne News Reporter, ganewsed@georgiasouthern.edu