Brian Kemp Inaugurated As New Governor | Pledges 'United' Georgia

ATLANTA -- After winning the nation's most watched governor's race last November, Brian Kemp was inaugurated as Georgia's 83rd governor on Monday. Kemp, an avid University of Georgia fan, held his swearing-in ceremony on the campus of Georgia Tech in Midtown, at the McCamish Pavilion, and pledged to unite the state after one of the closest, most contentious governor's races in recent memory.

“Through the prism of politics, our state appears divided. Metro versus rural. Black versus white. Republican versus Democrat,” he said. “Elections can rip us apart. But after visiting all 159 counties, I can tell you we have so much in common. As governor, I will fight for all Georgians — not just the ones who voted for me.”

Kemp frequently mentioned his old high school football coach, the late Billy Henderson, in his pledges to represent all Georgians, regardless of race or political affiliation.

Former Gov. Nathan Deal got the loudest, most sustained applause during the ceremony, outside of Kemp himself. The inauguration began shortly after 2 pm and concluded around 3:20 pm.

Earlier on Monday, Kemp, his family and several hundred people, attended a prayer service at The Cathedral of St. Philip in Buckhead.

WATCH: Brian Kemp Inauguration As 83rd Georgia Governor

After he was sworn in, Kemp administered the oath of office to new lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan. Also sworn in Monday were newly elected Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, as well as Attorney General Chris Carr; Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black; Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck; State School Superintendent Richard Woods; and Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.

Kemp was inaugurated the same day as the 2019 Georgia General Assembly convened.

WATCH: Brian Kemp Inaugural Prayer Service In Buckhead

For the first time in more than eight years, the state has a new governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and other top elected and appointed leaders. Even though Democrats gained 13 legislative seats in the 2018 elections, mainly due to GOP retirements, Republicans still hold large majorities in both the House and Senate. The GOP also controls every statewide elected office.

Several controversial issues will face Kemp, Duncan, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and other legislative leaders, not the least of which Georgia's transition from electronic to paper ballots. After an historically close gubernatorial election marred by Democrats' allegations of voter suppression and fraud, Raffensperger will be charged with overseeing updates to the state's 20-year-old voting system.

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ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 06: Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp attends the Election Night event at the Classic Center on November 6, 2018 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)