(The Center Square)–Businessman Rick Jackson, pumping in millions of his money to the campaign, easily defeated presidentially endorsed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones to win Georgia’s Republican gubernatorial primary runoff.
Major outlets began calling the race about 15 minutes before 10 p.m. Jackson led Jones by nearly 37,000 votes, unofficially, with 85% of precincts reporting.
Jackson will go on to face former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in November, who defeated seven candidates to win her primary without a runoff.
Jones posted a “thank you” to his supporters on social media before some media outlets officially called the race.
A last-minute endorsement from Gov. Brian Kemp did not lead Jones to victory. Jones was endorsed by second-term Republican President Donald Trump in 2025, months before Jackson entered the race.
Donald Trump Jr. gave Jackson a boost Monday on social media, calling Jackson a “good man,” but said the post was not an endorsement.
“My only point is that no matter who wins tomorrow, it’s a victory for MAGA,” Trump Jr. said.
Jackson was endorsed by his former opponent, Attorney General Chris Carr. During a primary debate hosted by the Atlanta Press Club, Carr said if he weren’t in the middle of the race, he would consider opening an investigation into Jones.
“Folks are saying, ‘Is it true that bills were passed or not passed?’, or committee hearings held based on who was supporting the lieutenant governor or you or me or some other folks,” Carr said.
In other races, state Sen. Josh McLaurin won the Democratic nod for lieutenant governor. He will face either Sen. Greg Dolezal, who defeated Sen. John F. Kennedy in the Republican contest.
Earlier in the night, Republican Tim Fleming and Democrat Penny Brown Reynolds won their runoffs in the secretary of state’s race.
