Who is Rick Jackson and what is Jackson running on in the 2026 Georgia Governor race?

Rick Jackson is the Republican candidate for Georgia governor. Billionaire healthcare executive; Trump-endorsed; beat Lt. Gov. Burt Jones 52.6 to 47.4 in the June 16, 2026 GOP runoff. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The race

• The seat: Open seat (Brian Kemp, R, term-limited).
• Rating: Toss-up (Cook, R+1 PVI).
• Polling: Jackson 48, Bottoms 45 (Rasmussen Reports, 1,019 LV, Sept 2026, reported by FOX 5 Atlanta); InsiderAdvantage (Aug 2026) Jackson 46.3, Bottoms 46.2.

Why Jackson is ahead

• Effectively tied: recent polls swing between Bottoms +7 (State Navigate, July) and Jackson +3 (Rasmussen, Sept).
• Markets have moved toward Jackson since August, when Kalshi had Bottoms 57 to 43; DeFi Rate now shows Jackson 53 to 49.
• Jackson, a billionaire healthcare executive, has Trump’s endorsement and a tax-cut message (property-tax freeze, income-tax cut, no tax on tips).
• Bottoms is helped by the national environment (Trump disapproval at 56% in a July poll), suburban Democratic trends, and her Medicaid-expansion pitch; Republicans have held the office for 20+ years.

What Jackson is running on

• Taxes. Promises to freeze property taxes, cut the state income tax and eliminate taxes on tips.
• Healthcare. Promises to make health care more accessible and affordable.
• Jobs. Promises to create opportunities for Georgians.
• Debates. Committed to one town-hall-format event and declined a Macon forum, saying he would rather travel the state and speak directly to voters.

In Jackson’s own words

“Tips are rent. Tips are groceries. Tips are school clothes.”

The other candidates

• Keisha Lance Bottoms (D)

Every race

See every Senate and governor race on the ballot, with each candidate’s chance of winning: the 2026 midterms at a glance.