ATLANTA (AP) 鈥� Health care business owner Rick Jackson announced his Republican run for governor in Georgia on Tuesday, shaking up a field of candidates that had seemed settled for months.
Jackson, 71, is bidding to succeed Republican Gov. , who can’t run again because he’s term-limited. He’s vying with Lt. Gov. , who has already by President , as well as with Secretary of State and Attorney General .
Jackson dismissed them as 鈥渃areer politicians鈥� who 鈥渁re going to do nothing, get rich and keep you in the dark.鈥� By contrast, he called himself 鈥渁 real-life conservative who knows how to fight the tough fights and win big for Georgia.鈥�
Jackson is pledging to spend $50 million of his own money on his campaign. His entry comes called 鈥淕eorgians for Integrity鈥� has spent more than $13 million since November on television ads, mailers, texts and social media posts attacking Jones 鈥� considered by many the GOP front-runner 鈥� on claims that he’s using his office to enrich himself. The ads make misleading assertions about Jones’ record and Jones has dismissed them as 鈥渇abricated trash.鈥�
Jackson campaign spokesperson Lance Trover denied Tuesday that Jackson funded the attack ads.
A four-candidate Republican field could make a June 16 runoff more likely if no one wins a majority in the May 19 primary. On the Democratic ballot, seven candidates are seeking the governor’s nomination in May, hoping to wrest control of the governor’s office back from the GOP after 24 years.
Jackson is touting a sharply conservative message and rags-to-riches background, including a launch video that profiles his rise from foster care to owning Jackson Healthcare, one of the largest health care staffing firms nationwide. He pledged support for 鈥渃riminal deportations鈥� and promised to purge schools of 鈥渨oke ideology,” while banning diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
鈥淎nd if we can鈥檛 cut the in half and freeze , I won鈥檛 run again,鈥� Jackson pledged in the video, stepping straight into two key tax debates currently ongoing at the Georgia Capitol.
Like Jones and Raffensperger, Jackson brings personal wealth to the race. Health care providers nationwide hire Jackson Healthcare to provide them with doctors, nurses and other medical professionals that Jackson employs. The company also helps health care providers find permanent employees and consulting with them on staffing. In 2021, Jackson also bought US Antibiotics, a Bristol, Tennessee, company that says it鈥檚 the only American manufacturer of two top antibiotics. Privately owned, Jackson Healthcare reports more than $3 billion in yearly revenue.
Jackson said he would spend an initial $40 million on advertising and on Tuesday launched an ad that represents Raffensperger as Judas for betraying Trump and to overturn Georgia鈥檚 2020 election.
Jackson said he’s a billionaire and bragged about making a $1 million donation to Trump, saying 鈥淭rump鈥檚 success inspired me to do this for Georgia.鈥� But he’s been a big donor in Georgia Republican circles for more than a decade. Among the past beneficiaries of his donations are Carr, Raffensperger and former Republican Lt. Gov. , who’s now running for governor as a Democrat after Duncan fell out with Trump over the 2020 election.
As one example of his influence, Kemp touted Jackson Healthcare’s involvement in providing doctors and nurses to Georgia’s hospitals during the pandemic. Jackson also takes credit for a law that provides free college tuition, room and board for students who were in foster care or placed for adoption by Georgia’s child welfare agency.
Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich backed Jackson, that 鈥淗e will be a great governor of Georgia and brings compassion and business experience to the race.鈥�
Jackson has given money to some people who have opposed Trump, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in 2015. Jones spokesperson Kayla Lott was dismissive of the idea that Jackson could threaten Jones’ support, saying: 鈥淭he never-Trump lane just got way more expensive and way more crowded.鈥�
Carr’s campaign said their argument that he’s best positioned to win the general election hasn’t changed.
鈥淐hris is who he has always been: a proven conservative leader with a record of results and the credibility to unite voters across Georgia,鈥� spokesperson Julia Mazzone said in a statement.
Raffensperger’s campaign declined to comment on Jackson’s entry. Jones’ campaign didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
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