The Republican Governors Association (RGA) is financing an ad for the re-election of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, a noteworthy development because it puts the organization at odds with former President Donald Trump. Trump has endorsed Kemp’s chief primary opponent, former Senator David Perdue.

The RGA is committing $500,000 to running the ad, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Of all the races Trump has endorsed in, this is in many ways the most significant. RGA now siding w incumbent, as it usually does, but against Trump candidate https://t.co/h07nevO8do

— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) February 9, 2022

“While the RGA typically backs incumbent GOP governors, the spot for Kemp marks the first time that the group is financing a TV ad in a primary to support an incumbent facing a Republican challenger,” reports The Hill.

This unprecedented move sets up a proxy war between the RGA and former President Trump, who backs David Perdue in the GOP primary. #gapol https://t.co/r0lOndXsBn

— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) February 9, 2022

The outlet adds:

The Georgia gubernatorial primary is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in the country. Perdue jumped into the race at the urging of Trump, who turned on Kemp last year after the Georgia governor rebuffed the former president’s pleas to help him overturn the 2020 election results in the Peach State.

Whoever emerges from the GOP primary will go on to face Democrat Stacey Abrams in the November general election. Abrams, who was also the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in 2018, isn’t facing any primary opposition.