Jackson defeats Trump-backed Jones in Georgia GOP primary runoff
Rick Jackson defeated Trump-backed Burt Jones to win Georgia's GOP gubernatorial nomination.
Event / Politics
Georgia Gubernatorial Election 2026
Rick Jackson, a billionaire healthcare executive, won Georgia's Republican gubernatorial primary runoff on June 17, 2026, defeating Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones despite endorsements from Trump and Governor Brian Kemp. Jackson spent over $100 million of his own money in the most expensive gubernatorial primary in Georgia history. He will face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Atlanta mayor, in the November general election.
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 17 Jun, 06:03 UTC
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What happened
Rick Jackson becomes GOP nominee for Georgia governor in costly primary race
Rick Jackson won the gubernatorial primary runoff after spending at least $100 million of his own money on the campaign, making it the most expensive gubernatorial primary in Georgia's history. Jackson campaigned as a political outsider and businessman, positioning himself as similar to President Trump.
Trump's endorsed candidate Burt Jones loses Georgia gubernatorial primary runoff
Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, who received endorsements from President Donald Trump and outgoing Governor Brian Kemp, lost the Republican primary runoff for Georgia governor. This was only the second Trump-backed candidate to lose a Republican gubernatorial primary in the 2026 election cycle.
Rick Jackson will face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia general election
Republican nominee Rick Jackson will face Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms in the November general election for Georgia governor. Bottoms, a former Atlanta mayor who served in the Biden administration, is running to become the first Black woman elected governor of a U.S. state.
Rick Jackson wins Georgia Republican gubernatorial primary runoff
Billionaire businessman Rick Jackson won the Republican primary runoff for Georgia governor, defeating Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones. Jackson, a healthcare executive and first-time political candidate, secured the GOP nomination with over $93 million of his own campaign funds.
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