Pence to return for another rally with Kemp

Vice President Mike Pence will return to Georgia for the second time in two months to host an event to help Athens Republican Brian Kemp, escalating the White House's role in Georgia's nationally watched race for governor.

Pence is set to host the Sept. 13 fundraiser at an Atlanta hotel to boost Kemp in the race against Democrat Stacey Abrams, who is seeking to be the first Democrat to hold the state’s top office since 2003. Three people with direct knowledge of the event told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution of the plans, which were later confirmed in an invite.

The fundraiser will raise cash for the Georgia GOP and will also feature Gov. Nathan Deal, U.S. Sens. David Perdue and Johnny Isakson, and state House Speaker David Ralston. It is not currently open to the public.

Pence last visited Georgia in July, attracting hundreds to a Macon hotel shortly after President Donald Trump offered a surprise endorsement for Kemp in his runoff against Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle. He dubbed Kemp the "real deal" in the Georgia GOP, invoking the slogan Deal used.

Kemp won that July 24 runoff in dominating fashion, capturing nearly three-quarters of the GOP vote.

In the November race, Kemp aims to energize conservatives who support both Deal and Trump by highlighting promises to cut taxes and limit state spending even as he tries to broaden his appeal to a wider bloc of the electorate.

The vice president has become a frequent presence in Georgia, stumping for Trump during the 2016 campaign and Karen Handel's bid for the 6th Congressional District. He also recently quarterbacked an event touting the GOP tax bill and visited Savannah's St. Patrick's Day Festival.

Pence also has another connection to Georgia. His top aide, Nick Ayers, is a Georgia native who was an adviser to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and his first-cousin, U.S. Sen. David Perdue.