Rick Jackson Wins Georgia GOP Runoff for Governor
Republican businessman Rick Jackson defeated Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in the GOP runoff for the state’s gubernatorial nomination. Despite receiving support from former President Donald Trump, Jones could not secure victory. Jackson will now face former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in the general election this fall.
Jackson invested over $100 million of his own resources into his campaign. His victory speech emphasized his commitment to challenging the political establishment. “When I announced my campaign, I said the political class protects itself…it’s a cartel and I said I’m coming to break it up,” he stated to his supporters. Jackson highlighted his outsider status, saying, “I can’t be bought, and I’m not going to back down…. Tonight we proved that the people of Georgia are in charge.”
Jackson, who was relatively unknown months ago, used extensive advertising to share his personal success story with Georgia voters. Despite growing up in foster care and struggling to afford college, he built a business empire. “I know what it’s like to feel like nobody sees you, especially the elite and the powerful,” he said.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz from Texas endorsed Jackson, joining him on the campaign trail. Cruz explained, “Rick has an extraordinary record, an extraordinary life story. And I also think he’s positioned to win. This election is a battleground all across the country. We can’t afford to lose Georgia.”
Through his campaign, Jackson drew inspiration from Trump’s business approaches. “I just thought, you know, if you had somebody doing business solutions for the state of Georgia, like Trump is for the United States, I just felt like I would have a major impact on the state,” Jackson shared. He emphasized his outsider credentials, “I’m going to be Trump’s favorite governor because we’re just alike.”
Burt Jones, who had Trump’s endorsement, criticized Jackson for seeking endorsements from out-of-state figures and highlighted Jackson’s past donations to Democrats and anti-Trump Republicans. “He’s been dishonest about who he is,” Jones claimed. Jackson dismissed these comments as “just lies.”
Jackson emerged victorious after a competitive primary race which also included notable figures such as state Attorney General Chris Carr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Georgia’s term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp, despite initially delaying his endorsement, backed Jones just days before the runoff.
Looking ahead, Jackson prepares for a general election matchup against Keisha Lance Bottoms. Bottoms criticized Jackson for his involvement in a no-bid state contract while opposing Medicaid expansion. She pledged to focus on providing opportunities for all Georgians.
This gubernatorial race was another test of Trump’s influence over the GOP. While his endorsements have proven successful in many states, they faced setbacks. For instance, his support did not secure a win for Rep. Randy Feenstra in an Iowa primary earlier. Still, Trump was able to celebrate victories in South Carolina and other states where candidates he endorsed prevailed.