He is former Mayor of Hopkinsville, having served two terms from 2007 through 2014. He is a native of Murray and graduated from Murray State University in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in English and History. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1970 and was admitted to the Bar to practice law. He then served four years in the United States Army and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain in 1975. Mr. Kemp was an attorney in private practice in Hopkinsville for 32 years prior to being elected Mayor in 2006. His law practice focused on business and real estate matters including civil litigation.