Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr endorses Rick Jackson in GOP gubernatorial runoff

May 27, 2026

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr endorsed healthcare CEO Rick Jackson in the GOP gubernatorial runoff against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. Carr, who finished the primary with 12% of the vote, framed Jackson as an outsider who will continue Gov. Brian Kemp's legacy. The endorsement follows a primary where Jones led Jackson 38% to 33% and a debate where Carr said Jones should not be governor due to corruption allegations.

Carr endorsement of Jackson

▪On May 27, 2026, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr endorsed healthcare CEO Rick Jackson in the Republican gubernatorial runoff.
▪Chris Carr, who finished the GOP primary with about 12% of the vote, described Rick Jackson as a 'political outsider' who would support law enforcement and cut taxes.

GOP gubernatorial runoff matchup

▪In the May 19, 2026 primary, Burt Jones received 38.36% of the vote and Rick Jackson received 32.51%, forcing a runoff as no candidate reached 50%.
▪Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
▪An InsiderAdvantage poll of likely GOP voters after the primary showed Burt Jones leading Rick Jackson 48% to 42%.
▪The winner of the Republican runoff will face Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms in the November 3, 2026, general election.
▪The GOP gubernatorial runoff features healthcare CEO Rick Jackson against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones.
▪The Georgia primary runoff election is scheduled for June 16, 2026.

Jones corruption allegations

▪In response to the allegations, Chris Carr stated at the debate, "Burt Jones should not be the next governor of Georgia."
▪At an April debate, Rick Jackson raised allegations that Lt. Gov. Burt Jones threatened legislators and demanded campaign contributions for meetings.
▪Chris Carr also said at the debate that if he were not a candidate, he would have launched an investigation into the allegations against Burt Jones.

Kemp legacy continuation

▪In his endorsement, Chris Carr stated that Rick Jackson "will build on Brian Kemp’s legacy."
▪Outgoing Governor Brian Kemp is term-limited and has not publicly endorsed a candidate in the race to succeed him.

Raffensperger endorsement decision

▪Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who received 15% of the primary vote, has not yet endorsed a candidate in the runoff.
▪A spokesman for Brad Raffensperger's campaign said the Secretary of State is "weighing his options" regarding an endorsement.