Rick Jackson Wins Georgia GOP Runoff, Faces Keisha Lance Bottoms in General Election

ATLANTA, Ga. — In a high-stakes Republican gubernatorial runoff, billionaire businessman Rick Jackson unseated Lt. Gov. Burt Jones for Georgia’s GOP nomination. Despite receiving support from President Donald Trump, Jones fell short in the race to succeed outgoing Gov. Brian Kemp.

Jackson will now face former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in the general election this fall. Bottoms previously served in the Biden administration and secured the Democratic nomination without a runoff.

“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. Well, tonight, we shattered it,” Jackson declared in his victory speech. He emphasized his independence from political establishments, stating, “I’m the only candidate who doesn’t owe a thing to the political establishment. I can’t be bought, and I’m not going to back down.”

Jackson, who invested over $100 million in his campaign, was a relatively unknown figure in Georgia until a surge of advertisements highlighted his background. He grew up in foster care and achieved business success without attending college, which resonated with Georgian voters.

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas endorsed Jackson, bringing out-of-state support ahead of the runoff. Cruz highlighted Jackson’s life story and potential to win, stating the importance of Georgia as a political battleground.

Jones, a former University of Georgia football captain, saw Trump’s endorsement as a key asset in his campaign. However, he criticized Jackson for allegedly not aligning with the MAGA wing of the party due to past donations to Democrats.

Jackson, on the other hand, dismissed these attacks as false. “He’s been dishonest about who he is,” Jones alleged about Jackson, questioning his opponent’s loyalty to Trump.

Jackson’s connections to the community were evident as he addressed supporters, saying, “I know what it’s like to feel like nobody sees you, especially the elite and the powerful,” drawing from his personal experiences.

Governor Kemp, although initially backing Jones, expressed a need for strong leadership to guide Georgia forward in November’s election, comparing Georgia’s potential missteps to those of Virginia and California.

The upcoming general election will test Jackson’s claims of business acumen against Bottoms’ political experience. Bottoms criticized Jackson for profiting significantly through state contracts while opposing Medicaid expansion.

Trump’s influence remains a pivotal factor in the political dynamics of Georgia, with recent endorsements holding varying degrees of success in other GOP races across the nation.