Georgia’s Republican Senate Caucus has taken the decision to indefinitely suspend state Senator Colton Moore of Trenton, who represents a district in Georgia’s northwest corner. This action was a response to Moore’s attack on his fellow Republicans for opposing his plan to impeach Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. The caucus, consisting of 32 out of the 56 members of the Georgia Senate, stated that while Moore has the right to his opinion, he knowingly misled people and caused unnecessary tension and hostility. They firmly believe that his actions put the lives of caucus members and their families at risk. This suspension reflects the deep divide within Georgia’s Republican Party.
Moore criticized his colleagues, labeling them as “Republicans in name only” or RINOs, for not supporting his proposal to impeach Willis. However, his plan faced immense opposition from grassroots supporters of former President Donald Trump, who have gained control of Georgia’s Republican Party organization. This is another example of the growing divergence between Governor Brian Kemp and many elected Republicans on one side, and Trump’s loyal base on the other. Kemp, who refused to endorse Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election, faced intense backlash from Trump supporters in the state.
Kemp and Willis’s Indictments
Fani Willis, the Fulton County District Attorney, indicted Donald Trump and 18 others, including the former state Republican Party chair, for crimes related to their efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Kemp, in contrast to these allegations, refused to endorse Trump’s claims and criticized the push for impeachment as a “grifter scam.” He firmly believes that it would interfere with the proceedings of a separate but equal branch of government and is irrelevant to the current Georgia law. Despite this, many Georgia Republicans, including U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, have attacked Willis, with Greene even stating that she will lose her job. This further demonstrates the deep divisions within the Republican Party.
Although Moore has been suspended, he will still retain his membership in the Senate and remain a Republican. However, passing legislation without the support of the majority caucus will become challenging. Moore has often acted as a party of one, voting against measures that the majority supports. He was the main advocate for a special session to impeach or defund Willis’s office, even securing Trump’s endorsement. Despite his best efforts, Moore failed to convince fellow Republicans or Democrats to support his cause. This failure highlights the limited influence of Moore within the Senate.
While Moore’s suspension has taken the focus away from his plan to remove Willis, some Republican state senators are still backing a different approach. They are advocating for Willis’s removal through a new state prosecutorial oversight commission called the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission. This commission, set to begin work after October 1st pending state Supreme Court approval, aims to discipline or remove prosecutors who display misconduct. However, some district attorneys, including Willis, have filed a lawsuit against this law, claiming that it infringes on their authority. Governor Kemp, acknowledging the timing of Donald Trump’s indictment, has emphasized that he has not seen any evidence warranting disciplinary action against Willis.
The suspension of Senator Colton Moore highlights the deep divisions within Georgia’s Republican Party. The clash between grassroots Trump supporters and establishment Republicans, including Governor Brian Kemp, has intensified. The impeachment push against Fani Willis, amidst allegations against former President Donald Trump, has exacerbated tensions. The failure of Moore’s plan to gain support further demonstrates the limited influence he possesses. Georgia’s Republican Party is grappling with maintaining unity and catering to the varying demands of its membership.