Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said Wednesday he will not call lawmakers back for a special session to limit the powers of Democratic Gov.-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms or to redraw the state’s political maps.
The announcement came a day after Democrats scored sweeping statewide victories in Georgia, with Bottoms ending 24 years of Republican control of the Governor’s Mansion.
“I will not be calling a special session of the Georgia General Assembly in order to curtail executive branch powers or debate redistricting changes,” Kemp said in a statement.
“The voters of our state have spoken,” he added.
The two-term Republican pledged to respect the outcome of what he called secure, accessible and fair elections, and to abide by the state’s laws and constitution.
Kemp’s decision takes a potentially explosive post-election showdown off the table. Following Tuesday’s results, there had been speculation that the Republican-controlled legislature could be called back to change district lines and limit Bottoms’ authority before she takes office in January.
Democrats are also poised to take the majority in the Georgia House and narrow the Republican edge in the state Senate when the new legislature convenes.
Kemp did leave one door open. He said there are budgetary issues that may need to be addressed before the regular session begins in January, and that his office will keep monitoring state finances and updating legislative leaders. He did not specify what those budget concerns are or when he might decide on a fiscal session.
The governor has been down this road before. Kemp called a special session in June following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, which weakened a key section of the Voting Rights Act. He argued the decision required Georgia to adopt new maps before the 2028 elections.
But Republican House leaders, including Speaker Jon Burns, declined to take up redistricting during that session, saying lawmakers and the public needed more time. Kemp disagreed with the delay at the time but acknowledged that drawing districts is the legislature’s responsibility.
Kemp also said Republicans need to learn from Tuesday night’s results. The election saw Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff keep his seat, helping Democrats win control of the U.S. Senate, while the party also captured the House.
Georgia lawmakers are scheduled to return for their regular session in January 2027.
Kemp’s stance contrasts with Texas, where Republican state Rep. Brian Harrison is urging Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session to strip emergency powers before Democratic Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa takes office.
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