Kemp was elected as the governor of Georgia in 2018.

Kemp was appointed secretary of state by Governor Sonny Perdue on January 8, 2010, filling the vacancy left by former Secretary of State Karen Handel (R). He won his first election to the office in November 2010. He was re-elected in 2014.

Kemp was elected to the Georgia State Senate representing District 46 (all of Oconee County and parts of Walton and Clarke counties) after defeating Democratic incumbent Doug Haines in November 2002.