Trump flexing his political muscles with GOP endorsements

FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2016, file photo, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, right, holds...
FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2016, file photo, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, right, holds a stack of papers as he meets with President-elect Donald Trump at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse in Bedminster, N.J. A federal judge ordered Kobach to disclose as part of a lawsuit challenging the state's voter registration requirements proposed changes to a federal voting law that he was photographed taking to the meeting. U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson gave Kobach until Friday, May 12 to hand them over to the American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing the Kansas voters and the League of Women Voters in that federal lawsuit. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS(KWCH)
By KEN THOMAS and ZEKE MILLER
Published: Jul. 23, 2018 at 2:43 PM CDT
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President Donald Trump's surprise endorsement of a Republican running for Georgia governor is the latest example of the president diving deep into GOP primary politics.

Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp was surprised by the endorsement over his opponent in the runoff, Casey Cagle. But it shows how Trump has been more assertive in offering his backing in Republican contests despite being burned in a bitter Alabama Senate campaign last year.

Three Trump administration officials say Trump endorsed Kemp after conferring with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, a former Georgia governor.

Two of the officials say Trump has been inclined to endorse Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach for governor ahead of the state's August 7 primary.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

(Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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