ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp has formally endorsed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in Georgia’s gubernatorial race, praising him as a key partner in advancing a conservative agenda and urging Republicans to support him in Tuesday’s GOP runoff against healthcare executive and businessman Rick Jackson.
In a statement released Sunday, Kemp highlighted what he described as a series of historic accomplishments during his administration, including tax cuts, economic development investments, teacher pay raises, school safety initiatives, efforts to combat criminal street gangs and Georgia’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Over the last eight years, we’ve achieved historic wins for hardworking Georgians from all walks of life and made our state the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” Kemp said.
The governor credited Jones with helping advance many of those priorities during his service in the Georgia Senate and as lieutenant governor.
“Whether it was during his service in the state senate or as lieutenant governor, Burt Jones has been a strong, trusted ally in those victories for the people of our state,” Kemp said.
Kemp said Jones has demonstrated an ability to make difficult decisions and pointed to their nearly 15-year working relationship as evidence of his readiness to serve as governor.
Over the last eight years, we’ve achieved historic wins for hardworking Georgians from all walks of life and made our state the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
We’ve passed the largest tax cut in state history, announced the largest economic development projects…
— Brian Kemp (@BrianKempGA) June 14, 2026
At odds with Carr
Jones is seeking to succeed Kemp, who is term-limited after serving two terms in office. The endorsement comes just days after Kemp publicly criticized both the Jones and Jackson campaigns for suggesting they had secured his backing before he made an official endorsement.
Kemp’s decision also places him at odds with fellow Republican Chris Carr, who endorsed Jackson after being eliminated from the race in the May 19 primary.
Jones and Jackson advanced to a runoff after neither candidate secured the majority vote required to win the Republican nomination outright in a crowded eight-candidate field that included Carr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
The winner of Tuesday’s runoff will face former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, the Democratic nominee, in November’s general election.
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