ATLANTA — Rick Jackson has been declared the winner of the Republican runoff for Georgia governor by The Associated Press, defeating Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in a closely watched intraparty contest.
With 86% of the vote counted, Jackson led Jones 52.7% to 47.3% late Tuesday as returns continued to be tabulated.
The race marked the conclusion of a competitive Republican primary runoff after neither candidate secured a majority in the May primary, setting up a head-to-head contest that drew significant attention from state and national GOP leaders.
According to Georgia Recorder, the two candidates together spent over $138.6 million over the primary through the runoff period, according to campaign finance records leading up to Tuesday’s runoff election Jackson’s spending makes up about 78% of that, representing nearly $108 million in spending that came largely from contributions he personally made to his campaign. Conversely, Jones loaned his campaign just over $25 million and raised another $5 million.
Jackson was strong in the metro areas of Atlanta, Columbus, Augusta and Savannah, helping push him across the finish line in the statewide contest. Jones carried many smaller counties in South Georgia.
In Habersham County, Jackson also carried the unofficial complete vote, defeating Jones 3,112 to 2,861, according to county election results.
State representative Victor Anderson, a Burt Jones supporter who held a rally with the Lieutenant Governor last week in Alto, told Now Georgia it’s time to rally around Rick Jackson.
“Congratulations to Rick Jackson for winning the Republican nomination for Governor,” Anderson said. “It’s time for Republicans to unite behind our selected candidates and work to continue strong conservative leadership in Georgia! I want to thank Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones for his dedication to the state and a strong campaign.”
The Republican Governors Association quickly congratulated Jackson on the projected victory.
“Congratulations to Rick Jackson on his primary victory,” said RGA Chair Gov. Greg Gianforte. “As a businessman and job creator, Jackson understands firsthand what it takes to grow a business, create opportunity, and strengthen communities across Georgia. As governor, Jackson will continue lowering taxes, supporting law enforcement, and keeping Georgia a national leader in business and job growth. While Democrats push the same failed agenda of high costs and more government control, Jackson remains focused on commonsense conservative leadership that will deliver results for Georgia families.”
The Democratic Governors Association sharply criticized Jackson following the AP call.
“Rick Jackson is only out for himself – not Georgia,” said DGA Executive Director Meghan Meehan-Draper. The statement accused Jackson of seeking office “to enrich himself and block anything that protects Georgians from high costs and threats to their health care,” and cited his business record and past controversies.
It added that Jackson has benefited from “a billion dollars in state contracts,” opposed Medicaid expansion efforts, and has been criticized over his company’s record.
The statement also said Jackson “has even bragged about profiting off the tariffs crippling Georgia farmers and companies,” and concluded: “We look forward to making sure that Jackson spends next year back on his estate in Cumming and gets nowhere near the Governor’s Mansion.”
Jackson will face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms in the November general election.
Jackson’s victory caps a runoff cycle defined by endorsements, competing conservative messaging and turnout-driven strategy across Georgia’s Republican electorate.
In Habersham County, voters interviewed earlier Tuesday cited endorsements, candidate familiarity and conservative alignment as key factors shaping their decisions in the Republican runoff.
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