Billionaire wins Georgia GOP primary
Billionaire Rick Jackson secures GOP nomination for Georgia governor, defeating Trump's candidate.
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Billionaire Rick Jackson defeated Georgia's sitting Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones in a Republican runoff on June 16, 2026, winning the GOP nomination for governor with 53% of the vote, according to New York Post. Jackson, a healthcare executive with no prior political experience, spent nearly $108 million of his own money to claim the prize.
The result deals a second straight blow to President Trump's endorsement power in a governor's race this month. Trump had called Jones a "warrior" at a tele-rally just days before the vote, according to The New York Times. It follows Trump-backed Randy Feenstra's loss in Iowa's gubernatorial primary on June 2.
How a $108 Million Outsider Toppled Trump's Pick
Jackson founded Jackson Healthcare and grew up in Atlanta public housing and the foster care system. He ran as a political outsider, saying "results matter more than rhetoric." His self-funding dwarfed Jones's entire operation. Jones raised roughly $4.6 million, per Atlanta Journal-Constitution — less than 5 cents for every dollar Jackson spent.
A late endorsement from Attorney General Chris Carr proved critical. Carr finished fourth in the May 19 primary, where Jones led with 38.4% and Jackson trailed at 33.9%, per WSBTV. Carr called Jackson a "successful businessman and political outsider," helping consolidate establishment and moderate Republican voters behind the billionaire in the runoff.
Mystery Dark Money Group Spent Millions Attacking Jones
A group called "Georgians for Integrity" blanketed airwaves with attack ads targeting Jones for alleged self-enrichment and ethics problems. The Delaware-incorporated 501(c)(4) — a type of nonprofit that does not have to disclose its donors — spent at least $13.5 million on anti-Jones advertising, according to The New York Times.
Jones's campaign accused Jackson of secretly funding the group. Jackson denied any connection. Jones described the race as "nasty" and "very expensive," saying "we've had $200 million spent against us." University of Georgia political scientist Dr. Charles Bullock noted that Jackson's win proved "you can buy a third of the Republican primary vote" with enough self-funding, per New York Post.
Trump's Endorsement Loses Its Grip on Georgia
Trump personally backed Jones with a tele-rally on June 11 and tied his credibility to the race. The loss is his second gubernatorial endorsement defeat in June alone. Analysts at WSBTV note the outcome suggests Trump's policies stay popular in Georgia, but his personal endorsement may no longer be the deciding factor it once was.
Democrats were quick to call the result a GOP civil war. A spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Georgia said the runoff showed a party "fully divided" by dark money and extremist rhetoric. Jackson will now face former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, the Democratic nominee, in November, per Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
What Jackson Has Promised — and What Worries Critics
Jackson has pledged to freeze property taxes immediately and cut Georgia's state income tax in half within four years. He opposes Medicaid expansion and supports the state's abortion ban. Georgia has not elected a Democratic governor since 1998, making Jackson a strong general-election favorite despite the messy primary.
Critics raise a conflict-of-interest flag. Jackson's company, Jackson Healthcare, has previously held millions of dollars in state contracts, according to The New York Times. If he wins in November, he would oversee state agencies that contract with the same industry he built his fortune in — a tension that Democrats are certain to highlight through the fall campaign.
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