ATLANTA — A Republican candidate for Georgia governor has launched a tip line targeting one of his primary opponents, escalating tensions in an already expensive and closely watched race.
Rick Jackson’s campaign this week announced a “Bribe Burt” tip line, encouraging whistleblowers to submit information about Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. The campaign provided a phone number for callers to report what it described as “unethical and suspicious activity.”
“Burt Jones has a record of taking campaign cash and passing laws that benefit his family’s business. It’s wrong—and it needs to stop,” Jackson campaign spokesman Dave Abrams said in a statement.
The Jones campaign did not respond to Now Georgia’s request for comment by press time.
Trump endorsement looms over race
Jones entered the race as the early frontrunner, bolstered by an endorsement from President Donald Trump, who praised him as a loyal ally dating back to Trump’s first presidential campaign.
That backing has made Jones a formidable candidate among conservative voters, even as the race has grown more competitive in recent weeks.
Money fuels escalating fight
The clash comes as the Republican primary has quickly become one of the most expensive in Georgia history.
Jackson, a wealthy health care executive and political newcomer, has already poured more than $30 million of his own money into the race and has indicated he could spend up to $50 million before the primary.
Jones, meanwhile, launched his campaign with a $10 million personal loan and has raised millions more through fundraising efforts.
The heavy spending has fueled a barrage of television ads and political attacks, including negative messaging from both sides and outside groups.
Polls show tightening contest
Recent polling suggests the race is competitive — and shifting.
An average of recent polls shows Jackson leading Jones by roughly 5 percentage points, with about a quarter of likely Republican voters supporting Jackson compared to about one-fifth backing Jones, while a large share remains undecided.
A separate March poll of likely GOP voters found Jackson with a larger advantage, drawing support in the mid-30% range compared to Jones in the low 20s.
The unsettled numbers reflect both Jackson’s rapid rise and the fluid nature of a crowded primary field that also includes Attorney General Chris Carr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
High-stakes open seat
The race to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Brian Kemp has become one of the most closely watched gubernatorial contests in the country, with national attention focused on the role of Trump’s endorsement, self-funded campaigns and escalating political attacks.
With months remaining before the May primary, the increasingly personal tone of the campaign — now including a public tip line — signals the fight for the GOP nomination is likely to intensify.
