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Stars Align: Oprah, Will Ferrell, Other Celebrities Campaign in Georgia's Governor Race

The race to be the next governor of Georgia has heated up since the primaries earlier this year, and some of the country's biggest stars made their way down south to campaign.

By Justin Baxley

The race to be the next governor of Georgia has heated up since the primaries earlier this year, and some of the country's biggest stars made their way down south to campaign.

Will Ferrell, star of Step brothers and Elf, made an appearance in the Peach state last week, going door to door to rile up support for Abrams. He also appeared on multiple media outlets sporting an Abrams shirt.

The only known celebrities that Kemp has had stump for him in the state of Georgia has come in the form of powerhouse politicians and their family.

Donald Trump Jr. appeared in Athens on October 9. He was joined by former Fox News personality Kimberly Guilfoyle on a panel with a pair of representatives from the conservative group Turning Point, Charlie Kirk and Candace Owens.

Kemp has also had the Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence, on the campaign trail as well. Throughout the month of October, Pence has been hard at work stumping for the Secretary of State Kemp. He also has three events planned for Thursday in Dalton, Augusta and Savannah.

On Sunday, Kemp will receive his biggest boost of star power to date when President of the United States and former Apprentice star Donald Trump will join him in Macon. This has caused their final debate to be canceled according to WSB.

So far, Abrams has received more celebrity support, but Kemp has used that as a key talking point against her.

"My opponent is "banking" on celebrities to buy the election for her," a post on the Republican candidate's official Facebook Page said.

Abrams isn't without her own presidential star power, as former President Barack Obama will come to Georgia to hold a rally for her at Morehouse College. This is arguably her biggest endorsement to date but she has a laundry list of celebrity support.

On Thursday, Oprah Winfrey will host two town hall events in Decatur and and Marietta. This is a considered a rare endorsement as the media icon has mostly avoided politics. Her two most recent endorsements were Obama in 2008 and Hillary Clinton in 2016.

John Legend, the All of Me singer, on Oct. 2, appeared in front of a packed crowd at Georgia Tech. He also put on a concert for Abrams that supporters paid at least $100 to attend according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Atlanta's music scene has also been a big part of the Abrams campaign. Rapper Ludacris and producer Will Packer helped raise over $300,000 when they threw a supporter party at Packer's home. Those in attendance included Chris Tucker, Tiffany Haddish, Kelly Rowland, Marlon Wayans, LaToya Luckett, Marsai Martin and Tyrese Gibson.

Jermaine Dupree, the Atlanta hip-hop mogul, brought Abrams out at an event at the State Farm Arena, home of the Hawks.

Abrams also received an endorsement from a reality TV star of her own as Kandi Burruss from Atlanta Housewives hosted an event with other celebrities.

The race is currently at a virtual tie according to multiple polls including the NBC News/Marist poll.

(c)2018 The Macon Telegraph (Macon, Ga.)

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