Rick Jackson wins Georgia GOP gubernatorial nomination, CBS News projects

Billionaire healthcare executive Rick Jackson has secured the Republican nomination for Georgia governor, defeating Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in a runoff election, CBS News projects.

Jackson's victory concludes one of Georgia's most contentious Republican primary battles in recent years. The race was marked by legal disputes, including two lawsuits and a defamation claim, and saw extensive advertising spending. Jackson, who entered the race in February 2026, pledged up to $50 million of his own funds and significantly outspent other candidates, with allied spending on television ads alone exceeding $50 million leading up to the runoff.

The campaign heavily featured Jackson's compelling personal narrative: his upbringing in poverty, experience in multiple foster homes and schools, and eventual success in building Jackson Healthcare into a national enterprise. This story resonated with supporters, including Attorney General Chris Carr, who endorsed Jackson, calling him a "successful businessman and political outsider" poised to continue the legacy of outgoing Gov. Brian Kemp. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz also endorsed Jackson shortly before the runoff.

Jones, the incumbent lieutenant governor, had entered the runoff as the frontrunner, bolstered by the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. Jones, a sixth-generation Georgian, has served as lieutenant governor since 2022 and previously spent over a decade in the State Senate. The contest between Jackson and Jones turned sharply negative, with Jackson suing Jones over alleged unconstitutional fundraising advantages provided by a state leadership committee, which a federal judge temporarily blocked from operating during the legal challenge. Jackson also filed a defamation suit after Jones' campaign accused him of making his fortune through Planned Parenthood recruitment.