Billionaire businessman Rick Jackson defeated Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in the Republican runoff election for governor, according to reports from the Associated Press. This election was to find a successor for the term-limited conservative Gov. Brian Kemp.
Jackson, who invested over $100 million of his own funds into his campaign, now faces former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in the general election later this year. Bottoms avoided a runoff by securing a majority in the Democratic primary.
“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.
Jackson highlighted his independence from the political establishment, stating, “I can’t be bought, and I’m not going to back down…. Tonight we did more than win a runoff. Tonight we proved that the people of Georgia are in charge.”
Though Jackson was initially unknown to many Georgia voters, effective advertising helped boost his profile. His personal story, rising from foster care to building a business empire without college education, resonated with voters.
“I know what it’s like to feel unseen by the elite and powerful,” Jackson said to hundreds of supporters. “When you grow up the way I did, you never forget where you came from.”
In the campaign’s final stretch, Jackson gained support from Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. Cruz and Jackson appeared together at campaign events, promoting Jackson’s life story and strong candidacy.
Jackson expressed admiration for former President Trump, saying he was inspired by Trump’s business solutions for the state of Georgia. “I want to do exactly in Georgia what he’s doing at the federal government,” Jackson mentioned during interviews.
Cruz emphasized Jackson’s capacity to win, citing the election’s national importance. “We can’t afford to lose Georgia,” Cruz stated.
Burt Jones, supported by Trump, received a late endorsement from incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp but fell short in the runoff election. Jones criticized Jackson’s out-of-state political endorsements and questioned Jackson’s loyalty to Trump due to Jackson’s past donations to Democrats.
Kemp’s endorsement on Sunday highlighted Jones as “best suited to move the state forward.” Jones, a former University of Georgia football team captain and oil executive, frequently emphasized his connection with Trump throughout the campaign.
Looking ahead to the general election, Jackson faced criticism from Keisha Lance Bottoms, who accused him of self-enrichment at the expense of Georgians. Bottoms highlighted Jackson’s opposition to Medicaid expansion despite profiting from state contracts in the health care sector.
“Georgians deserve a governor focused on ensuring opportunities to thrive and countering Donald Trump’s reckless policies,” Bottoms stated.
Trump’s influence remained a significant factor in Georgia and other GOP primaries. Although his endorsement power was challenged with the defeat of Randy Feenstra in Iowa, he saw rebounds with successes like Pamela Evette’s victory in South Carolina.
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