The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Perdue will challenge Kemp in Georgia's gubernatorial primary next year, setting up a contest that will be one of the most politically-competitive in the country.
Perdue, a businessman who had reportedly been prodded by former President Donald Trump to enter the race, will now go up against Kemp as the incumbent governor was geared up to challenge Democratic candidate.
The former senator was ousted from the upper chamber in a Senate election earlier this year.
The result of the primary will be one of the biggest indicators of whether Kemp will be able to overcome Perdue's conservative credentials among rank-and-file GOP members.
The Governor's Mansion is in a state that for years had been a conservative redoubt, but where Democrats have been gaining ground due to the rapid growth of Atlanta's suburbs.
