ATLANTA, Ga. — In the Republican gubernatorial runoff election in Georgia, billionaire businessman Rick Jackson defeated Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, despite an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. The election took place on June 16, 2026, as Jones sought to succeed term-limited Governor Brian Kemp.
Jackson, who invested over $100 million of his own funds into his campaign, will face former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in the general election. Bottoms won her primary without a runoff, securing a majority of the votes against six other candidates.
In his victory speech, Jackson stated, "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." He emphasized his outsider status and claimed he could not be bought, asserting that the people of Georgia are in charge.
Jackson, who was relatively unknown to Georgia voters prior to his campaign, gained recognition through extensive advertising that highlighted his personal story of overcoming challenges. He mentioned his inspiration from Trump, stating that he aimed to implement business solutions for Georgia similar to those Trump applied at the federal level.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz supported Jackson during the campaign, stating that Jackson has an extraordinary life story and is positioned to win. Cruz endorsed Jackson shortly before the runoff, while Jones criticized Jackson for seeking support from out-of-state politicians.
Jones, a former captain of the University of Georgia football team and an oil executive, had been endorsed by Trump in August 2025. He questioned Jackson's loyalty to the MAGA movement, citing Jackson's past donations to Democrats.
In the lead-up to the runoff, Governor Kemp endorsed Jones, emphasizing the importance of winning the election to maintain the state's direction. Jackson, looking ahead to the general election, expressed his willingness to invest whatever is necessary to win against Bottoms.
Bottoms criticized Jackson's business practices, claiming he prioritizes personal profit over the needs of Georgians. She highlighted his opposition to Medicaid expansion while benefiting from state contracts.
Trump's endorsement influence faced scrutiny as his candidates had mixed results in recent primaries, with some endorsements failing to secure victories. However, Trump had recent successes in South Carolina and other races, indicating his continued relevance in GOP politics.