In a stunning upset that rattles the Georgia GOP establishment, healthcare billionaire Rick Jackson has defeated Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones in the Republican runoff for governor, according to projections from Decision Desk HQ. Jackson's victory not only ends Jones's political ambitions but also deals a sharp rebuke to former President Donald Trump and current Governor Brian Kemp, both of whom had endorsed Jones.
Jackson, a political newcomer and former foster child who built a fortune in the healthcare industry, will now face Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in the general election. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the contest a toss-up, signaling a fiercely competitive race ahead in a state that has become a national battleground.
Jones had been the presumed frontrunner after securing early backing from Trump and Kemp. A longtime Trump ally, Jones served as the Georgia co-chair for Trump's first presidential campaign and was among the slate of electors who signed documents falsely claiming Trump won the 2020 election in Georgia. His loss adds another statewide primary defeat to Trump's record this cycle, following similar outcomes in other key races.
The runoff was forced after no candidate exceeded 50% in the initial May primary, which was originally seen as a three-way contest among Jones, Attorney General Chris Carr, and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Jackson's late entry into the race scrambled the dynamics, and he poured millions of his own money into a campaign that emphasized his personal story—growing up in foster care before becoming a successful entrepreneur.
Jackson's win is a notable victory for Republican Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Rick Scott of Florida, as well as Carr, all of whom endorsed him. This split with Trump on a high-profile race mirrors similar fractures in other states, as seen in Cruz's divergence from Trump in Georgia and South Carolina governor runoffs.
The primary battle turned bitter, with both campaigns trading lawsuits. Jones questioned Jackson's conservative credentials, alleging that Jackson "made his fortune recruiting for Planned Parenthood, helping doctors perform transgender procedures on minors, and pocketed over $1 billion in state contracts on the backs of Georgia taxpayers." Jackson responded by suing Jones for defamation, stating in court filings that "Jones made up lies about his opponent. Pathetic."
Meanwhile, a company owned by Jones filed a $100 million lawsuit against Jackson's campaign, claiming that the Jackson campaign implied Jones Petroleum was involved in a criminal enterprise. Both sides have denied the accusations, and the legal battles are ongoing.
Jackson's victory sets up a high-stakes general election against Bottoms, a Democrat who has focused on urban development and criminal justice reform in Atlanta. The race is expected to draw national attention and significant outside spending, as both parties view Georgia as critical to controlling the governor's mansion and influencing the 2026 midterm map.
The outcome also highlights the growing influence of self-funded candidates in Republican primaries, as well as the limits of Trump's endorsement power in a state where his 2020 election lies remain a contentious issue. For Jackson, the challenge now is to unite a fractured party and pivot to a general election where Democrats are eager to keep the governor's seat in play.
