Rick Jackson wins GOP nomination for Georgia governor

 

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson holds his hand over his heart as he takes the stage at his election night watch party on May 19, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. Jackson will face Lieutenant Governor of Georgia Burt Jones in a runoff for the Republican nomination to succeed outgoing Governor Brian Kemp.

Rick Jackson has prevailed over Burt Jones 

 

in the Republican Primary Runoff election for Georgia’s next governor.

On Tuesday, per the Associated Press, Jackson received 52.7 % of the vote, beating Jones’ 47.3% with 87% of total votes counted.

Georgia Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones was endorsed last summer by President Donald Trump, who called him “highly respected and very popular” in a Truth Social post touting his loyalty to the MAGA agenda.

“As the first member of the Georgia State Assembly to Endorse “DONALD J. TRUMP” for President, Burt was strongly committed to my Campaign in 2016, 2020, and 2024, and worked tirelessly to help us WIN,” he wrote.

 

“I know his family well, and have seen Burt tested at the most difficult levels and times,” Trump continued. “He is a WARRIOR, a successful Businessman, former SEC Championship winning Georgia Bulldogs football player (Known for his toughness!), and now, as Lieutenant Governor, Burt has proven he has the Courage and Wisdom to deliver strong results for the incredible people of his wonderful State and Nation.”

The sixth-generation Jackson native was elected as Georgia’s 13^th Lieutenant Governor in 2022 and prioritized, according to his campaign biography, tax reforms, improving education from kindergarten through college by “empowering parents with school choice,” and supporting law enforcement, especially in their efforts to “combat the fentanyl crisis.”

 

Jones supports cutting income taxes annually to reach a 4.99% terminal income tax by 2027, protecting girls’ sports by prohibiting males from competing on female sports teams and separating private changing spaces, and raising funding for vocational and technical education to boost the workforce.

 

He was also endorsed by Turning Point Action and GA Second Amendment.

Founder of Jackson Healthcare Rick Jackson describes himself as self-made on his campaign biography. Now, his businesses serve all 50 states and generate over $3 billion in yearly revenue.

Jackson plans to “make Georgia the most affordable state in America” by immediately freezing property taxes and cutting the state income tax in half within four years, ultimately eliminating it within eight years. He promises to prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in state government, public universities and classrooms and also “ensure boys do not compete in girls’ sports or use girls’ bathrooms or locker rooms.”

 

He also supports law enforcement and deportation of illegal aliens. Jackson will advance to face former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, the Democrat nominee, in the general election in November.