'Inappropriate and unprofessional': Georgia election board chair turns on GOP colleagues

An election official appointed by a powerful swing state Republican has condemned his colleagues for exploiting their power to support former President Donald Trump, according to a new exclusive report.

Georgia State Election Board chair John Fervier, an appointee of Gov. Brian Kemp, told the Atlantia Journal-Constitution Monday he does not support the election rule changes that received Trump's praise.

“Our job is to clarify law, not create new law,” Fervier reportedly said. “This board needs to stay within its boundaries.”

Those election rule changes — which mandate an election night hand-count and “reasonable inquiry” before certifying results — face legal challenges this week from opponents who argue they'll cause chaos on Nov. 5.

The Republican-dominated board has passed nine recent rule changes and earned a shout-out from Trump at a recent campaign rally, according to the report.

Board members Rick Jeffares, Dr. Janice Johnston, and Janelle Kington began plotting in early August multiple changes to Georgia election administration long sought by Trump allies, reports show.

Trump referred to the trio as "pit bulls fighting for victory."

Georgia officials from both sides of the political aisle call the hand-count superfluous and a potential means to sow doubt in election integrity.

Trump faces criminal charges in Fulton County linked to his efforts to sow doubt in Georgia's 2020 presidential election after he lost to President Joe Biden.

The former president pleaded not guilty and claims he's the victim of a political witch hunt targeting his presidential reelection campaign.

But Fervier, a self-described traditional conservative, told the AJC he believes county officials will run an honest election.

The Waffle House executive added he resented public character attacks his colleagues have hurled at each other over recent weeks.

“This hyper-partisanship doesn’t serve anybody," Fervier reportedly said. “I’ve seen a lot of that character assassination that’s just inappropriate and unprofessional conduct for a member of this board."

Fervier put his faith in county officials dedicated to conducting a fair election and committed himself to business as usual after Nov. 5, but admitted, “They’re absolutely frustrating times."