ATLANTA — Despite his family’s considerable wealth, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones cannot match the spending power of billionaire Rick Jackson in Georgia’s Republican gubernatorial primary. Instead, Jones has leveraged his role leading the state Senate to gain an advantage over his deep-pocketed rival.
In his capacity as lieutenant governor, Jones promoted legislation that would have barred Jackson’s business from securing government contracts funded by taxpayers. Although the measure was unsuccessful, Jones is now airing television commercials criticizing Jackson on this issue while simultaneously promoting himself as a “proven leader.”
This development represents another chapter in what has become a surprisingly bitter fight for the Republican nomination. While Jones secured President Donald Trump’s backing last year, Jackson has emerged as a serious contender by investing over $50 million in his campaign.
However, Jones’ strategy may have created unintended consequences, as tensions within the state legislature could damage his campaign prospects.
The state House declined to take up the measure targeting Jackson, while state senators rejected a House proposal to cap property taxes in favor of their own alternative. Jones also frustrated House leadership by disregarding a plan to extend the use of Georgia’s current voting machines for another year while replacements are secured, potentially forcing a problematic special session during election season.
House Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, a leading Republican in the lower chamber, has now backed Jackson, stating “we can count on Rick to do the right thing to make our lives better and more affordable.”
Jackson contended that Burt Jones’ legislative actions provide additional proof that the lieutenant governor engages in corrupt practices, a theme the healthcare executive is also promoting through his advertising campaigns.
“From my standpoint, Burt is more concerned about things that are self-interested for him and his family, and he uses the power of that position to enhance his financial situation like he’s done in the past,” Jackson told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Along with Jones and Jackson, the other leading contenders in the May 19 primary include Attorney General Chris Carr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
During the legislative session, Jones attempted to achieve victories that would resonate with Republican primary voters, including some he could deploy against Jackson.
“I’m the one who has actually has the legislative background and legislative experience on knowing how to get things done,” Jones told reporters Tuesday.
However, the significance of that track record remains uncertain, according to Martha Zoller, a conservative radio host who has been backing Carr.
“I think what Burt’s got is the Trump endorsement,” Zoller said. “I don’t think he has much more than that.”
Jackson expressed even greater skepticism about Jones’ accomplishments.
“I don’t know anything he’s actually accomplished ever,” Jackson said.
Jan Jones’ support for Jackson could signal the beginning of a broader rejection of the lieutenant governor by state House Republicans, who have grown frustrated with his repeated efforts to control the lower chamber.
These tensions trace back to 2023, when Jones initiated a conflict over hospital licensing legislation, resulting in corruption allegations due to his family’s financial stake in a company planning to construct a hospital. Jones has maintained that his advocacy wasn’t intended to benefit his family’s business interests but rather to enhance healthcare services.
This year’s legislation targeting Jackson became the subject of extensive speculation throughout Georgia’s Capitol. An initial version surfaced in the House but failed to meet a procedural deadline. Then on March 18, Jones delivered an uncommon address to the Senate, alleging that Jackson’s company, Jackson Healthcare, bears responsibility for increasing state costs through its staffing contracts.
On April 2, a proposal emerged to prohibit anyone conducting business with the state from seeking statewide office, which would have eliminated Jackson from consideration. Jones is now broadcasting advertisements labeling Jackson “a fraud who got filthy rich off Georgia’s taxpayers and seniors,” referencing the $930 million in contracts Jackson Healthcare has secured with Georgia’s government in recent years, including a substantial no-bid agreement to supply additional healthcare personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When you get over $1 billion in state contracts and it goes through a no bid process, you tell me where else that’s possible,” Jones said Tuesday, holding state agencies accountable for facilitating Jackson’s success.
State Sen. Matt Brass, among Jones’ closest supporters, described the proposal as demonstrating Jones’ direct leadership approach.
“I think he’s done what he’s always done, and that’s lead from the front,” Brass said. “When we go into battle and we take on tough issues, the lieutenant governor, he doesn’t send us in there to do his work, he leads.”
Jackson explained that he responded to Gov. Brian Kemp’s request to assist with pandemic response efforts and was prioritizing Georgia’s welfare.
“I don’t see how responding to what a governor asks you to do as being corrupt,” Jackson said Tuesday.
Additional complications may arise regarding Georgia’s voting equipment, which has generated controversy and conspiracy theories since Trump falsely claimed Joe Biden stole the 2020 presidential election.
The state must meet a July 1 deadline to discontinue ballot counting using computerized bar codes. Jones, along with other grassroots Trump supporters controlling the state Republican Party organization, argued in an April 14 letter that Georgia should switch to a hand-marked paper ballot system.
Nevertheless, many election officials warn that state law has become contradictory and vulnerable to legal challenges. They also caution that the alternative paper ballot system would be extremely costly and potentially unworkable.
Even Jones now acknowledges that a special session may be required this summer to resolve the legal complications.
Jones also promoted his objective to eliminate Georgia’s income tax, but an ambitious reduction plan faltered after receiving criticism from Kemp, who is completing his final term, and state House Republicans.
A compromise was negotiated to further reduce — though not eliminate — the tax over nearly ten years.
The House, meanwhile, sought significant property tax limitations. Following extended negotiations, the Senate instead implemented more modest restrictions, leaving House Republicans feeling betrayed.
State Rep. Steven Sainz, a Republican who has endorsed Jackson, said generally that “volatility” dominated the Capitol this year.
“I could not think of a more extreme session, of the process becoming more distracting than the policies we’re looking at,” he said.
