Republican Georgia governor defies Trump in rare clash over Senate seat

President preferred congressman Doug Collins, but governor’s pick is unlikely to cause him much trouble

Ms Loeffler smiles while being introduced by governor Kemp (AP)

The Republican governor of Georgia has appointed an Atlanta businesswoman to take over a US Senate seat, in a rare act of defiance of Donald Trump by a member of his own party.

Brian Kemp named Kelly Loeffler to take over after senator Johnny Isakson retires at the end of the year, even though Mr Trump had reportedly pressed for the seat to be filled by congressman Doug Collins.

But, while the pick is not exactly what the president may have wanted, it is unlikely Ms Loeffler — an executive at a commodities trading firm in Atlanta and prominent GOP donor — will present much of a headache for the president.

Ms Loeffler, in a statement, identified herself as “a lifelong conservative. Pro-Second Amendment. Pro-military. Pro-wall. And pro-Trump.”

She has also indicated she plans on running to retain the seat during the 2020 election, where she would share a ticket with Mr Trump.

While Mr Trump won 50.4 per cent of the vote in the state against Hillary Clinton‘s 45.3 per cent, it is not clear that the next election will be as smooth for the president.

Since taking office, the president’s net approval in Georgia has dropped by a cumulative 21 points, according to Morning Consult.

Currently, 49 per cent of the state disapproves of his job performance, compared to 46 per cent who approve of it.

When he took office, 53 per cent of the state approved of him, while just 35 per cent disapproved.