Healthcare executive Rick Jackson won Georgia's Republican gubernatorial runoff Tuesday, overcoming the support of President Donald Trump and Gov. Brian Kemp for rival Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and capturing the GOP nomination in one of the year's biggest primary upsets.
Newsmax and Decision Desk HQ called the race for Jackson about 90 minutes after polls closed. With about 91% of the vote counted, Jackson had 52.9% and Jones had 47.1%.
The result marked a rare defeat for a candidate backed by Trump and Kemp, two of the most influential figures in Georgia Republican politics. Jones entered the runoff as the establishment favorite after serving as lieutenant governor since 2023 and receiving endorsements from the president and the outgoing governor.
Jackson, founder of Georgia-based Jackson Healthcare, spent heavily throughout the campaign, pouring tens of millions of dollars into advertising and voter outreach while presenting himself as a conservative outsider capable of bringing a business-minded approach to state government. He argued that his experience building a major healthcare staffing company made him better suited than career politicians to lead Georgia.
Jones, who served a decade in the state Senate before becoming lieutenant governor, campaigned on his record in state government and his close alignment with Trump's agenda. Trump endorsed Jones earlier in the race and reiterated his support heading into the runoff. Kemp joined Jones in the campaign's final days, describing him as the candidate best positioned to continue Republican leadership in the state.
The contest became one of the most expensive gubernatorial primaries in Georgia history. Jackson and Jones dominated a crowded Republican field in May, forcing a runoff after neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote.
Jackson now advances to the November general election, where he is expected to face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor.
Republicans have held the Georgia governor's office since 2003, and the race is expected to be among the most closely watched gubernatorial contests of the 2026 midterm cycle as both parties battle for control of a key political battleground.