ATLANTA — Georgia Republicans selected healthcare executive Rick Jackson as their nominee for governor on Tuesday, defeating Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones in a closely watched runoff election and setting up a November contest against Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Jackson, a billionaire businessman and political newcomer, won the Republican runoff with about 53% of the vote, according to results reported by the Associated Press and state election officials. Jones, who had received endorsements from President Donald Trump and outgoing Governor Brian Kemp, conceded after the results became clear.
Speaking to supporters after his victory, Jackson credited grassroots backing and pledged to unite Republicans ahead of the general election. “This campaign was built by Georgians who want results, not politics as usual,” Jackson said, according to local media reports.
The outcome marked one of the most significant Republican primary contests of the 2026 election cycle in Georgia. The race attracted national attention because of Trump’s endorsement of Jones and because both candidates spent heavily on advertising during a contentious campaign that featured legal disputes, ethics allegations and competing claims about conservative credentials.
Jackson entered the race earlier this year and largely financed his campaign with personal funds. According to multiple reports, he spent more than $100 million during the primary campaign, making it one of the costliest gubernatorial nomination battles in Georgia history. Jones, a longtime Trump ally who has served as lieutenant governor since 2023, argued that his experience in state government made him the stronger candidate.
The runoff followed a May primary in which neither candidate secured the majority needed to avoid a second round of voting. Jones led the initial Republican field, while Jackson finished second, advancing both men to the June runoff.
Democrats nominated former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in May. Bottoms has already begun framing the general election campaign around healthcare, education and economic issues, while criticizing Jackson’s business record. Jackson has emphasized immigration enforcement, public safety and support for conservative policies championed by Trump and Kemp.
The governor’s race is expected to be one of the most closely watched contests in a state that has become a major political battleground in recent election cycles. Republicans have held the governor’s office since 2003, while Democrats have achieved recent successes in statewide federal races.
As of Wednesday, Republican leaders were calling for party unity following the divisive runoff campaign. Jackson and Bottoms are expected to begin statewide general-election campaigning in the coming days ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
