Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp visited Bainbridge Thursday afternoon as part of a four-day, 26-county tour across South Georgia and Central Georgia.

Supporters held a reception for Kemp at the Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce, where the candidate in the Nov. 2 general election spoke about what he believes is the importance of small business freedom and fair, secure elections.

A former Georgia State Senator from Northeast Georgia, Kemp was appointed to the office of Secretary of State on Jan. 8, 2010, when the previous holder, Karen Handel, stepped down to run in the 2010 governor’s race.

Kemp said agriculture and construction are two of the largest drivers of Georgia’s economy in good times and said he would like to be an advocate for small business owners throughout the state, not just the metro Atlanta area.

Kemp said he supports business regulatory reform to make it easier for responsible businesses to prosper in Georgia.