Billionaire healthcare executive Rick Jackson defeated Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones on Tuesday in Georgia’s Republican gubernatorial runoff, advancing to face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms in November’s general election for governor.
Jackson, who founded Jackson Healthcare, a major staffing and services company, spent over $100 million of his personal wealth on the race. His victory marked a significant setback for both President Donald Trump and Governor Brian Kemp, who had both publicly endorsed Jones in the final days before the runoff vote.
Jackson emerged largely unknown to Georgia voters just months earlier. He announced his candidacy in early February 2026 with an initial $40 million campaign commitment, positioning himself as a political outsider. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jackson is a billionaire who grew up in foster care and spent time in Atlanta’s public housing projects—a narrative he emphasized throughout his campaign under the slogan “Foster care to billionaire.”
The race became one of the most expensive gubernatorial contests in Georgia’s recent history. Jackson and Jones advanced to the runoff after neither secured 50 percent of the vote in the May 19 initial primary, setting up the head-to-head matchup that concluded Tuesday night.
Jackson’s victory will now pit him against Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in the November 3, 2026 general election. The matchup will determine who replaces term-limited Republican Governor Brian Kemp, who declined to seek another term.
Sources
- NBC News — Reported Jackson’s runoff victory and his matchup with Bottoms in the general election
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution — Documented Jackson’s background and his campaign spending over $100 million
- WABE — Confirmed Jackson’s runoff win and his Democratic general election opponent
- CBS News — Described Jackson as a billionaire healthcare executive who grew up in poverty and public housing
- NPR — Reported that the runoff marked a defeat for Governor Kemp despite his endorsement of Jones
- The New York Times — Noted Jackson was largely unknown to voters months earlier but beat Trump’s choice
