Rick Jackson’s sudden and rapid rise to prominence in the Republican runoff race for governor against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones has divided Georgia GOP supporters more than any in-state contest in modern memory.
That includes Black Republicans like South Fulton business owner Azad Ahmadi, one of more than 200 people who attended a Georgia Black Republican Council candidate forum March 29. Jackson and fellow GOP gubernatorial candidates Brad Raffensperger and Chris Carr chose not to attend. Some said the event was a biased forum organized by Jones supporters.
Ahmadi told Capital B Atlanta that up until recently, Jones hasn’t done much outreach to Black Republicans like him and didn’t campaign hard enough until Jackson entered the race, perhaps believing President Donald Trump’s endorsement and support would be all Jones needed to win the Georgia Republican primary.
“It didn’t appear as though [Jones] was concerned about the competition that was in the market,” Ahmadi told Capital B Atlanta on Thursday. “To me, 2025 included an engagement with the community, in particular minorities, that was lackluster. And that created a divisive space within the party.”
This creates an opening for Jackson, the billionaire founder of Jackson Healthcare, after he came in a close second in the May 19 primary race. GOP voters head to the polls again Tuesday.
This is Jackson’s first time running for office. He shot to the top of the polls this spring despite entering the race relatively late and Jones receiving Trump’s endorsement.
Ahmadi said Jackson’s rags-to-riches story as an orphan who overcame growing up in Techwood Homes — an infamous former public housing complex in Atlanta — to become a billionaire, is something many Black entrepreneurs find aspirational.
“Rick Jackson represents what a lot of young Black men are trying to accomplish, having got it out of the mud, having left from around the way to becoming a billionaire,” Ahmadi said.
In a recent email interview with Capital B Atlanta, Jackson declined to answer questions about his recent controversial campaign ads targeting Democratic gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms, one of which contains seemingly threatening rhetoric aimed at undocumented immigrants.
Jackson also declined to explain his decision not to participate in a second debate against Jones, and ignored a question about his support for redrawing Georgia’s political maps following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais. Voting rights advocates say that ruling severely undermined what was left of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and dealt a major blow to Black voting power in Georgia and nationally the process. A special session convened by Kemp to redraw the state’s political maps is set to take place June 17.
Jackson did, however, share his thoughts on ways to address the affordability crisis, a top concern for Black Georgians this election cycle, and why Black voters like Ahmadi find him so engaging.
“I know what it is like to wonder whether anybody sees you,” Jackson said via email. “I know what it is like to feel forgotten. And I know what it means when somebody finally gets a fair shot. When you grow up fighting the way I did, you never forget those who are struggling and still fighting.”
Jones’ campaign hasn’t responded to phone calls seeking comment.
Below is a Q&A breakdown of Capital B Atlanta’s email interview with Jackson. It has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Capital B Atlanta: What’s your pitch to Black Georgians, particularly Black Republicans, on why they should support your campaign?
Rick Jackson: My goal is to make Georgia the most affordable state in the nation, the best place to raise a family, and the worst in which to be a criminal. That starts with slashing income and property taxes while lowering the cost of healthcare, gasoline, and groceries. I’ll strengthen our schools, protect our values, support law enforcement, and make every community safer. I’m running to make sure every Georgian has the opportunity to succeed that they deserve.
What are your top three policy priorities as governor and why?
I want to make Georgia the most affordable state in the nation, and the best one in which to raise a family. Everything costs more, and families are getting squeezed. We need to start by lowering property taxes and cutting the income tax in half.
I’m also the only candidate in the race who understands healthcare and will deliver better access to healthcare while driving down costs. We also need to protect our values. That means ensuring schools are focused on education, not indoctrination.
Last, we need to respect and support law enforcement. I’ll make Georgia the worst state in America to be a criminal, especially a criminal illegal.
Our readers know the difference between Democrats and Republicans, but often struggle to differentiate between primary candidates. What sets you apart from Lt. Gov. Jones?
I’m a self-made businessman and conservative outsider who understands what it’s like to feel forgotten. My opponent is the opposite. He’s a political insider who has benefited his family’s businesses while in office, yet has failed to deliver on his biggest campaign promises even after 14 years in power. I can’t be bought, and the special interests won’t control me. I don’t need the money, and I’m not interested in a title or power. I’m running because I want to make a positive impact for 11 million Georgians. I won’t just talk about the issues; I’ll solve them and deliver results.
Many Black Republicans are Trump supporters. President Trump endorsed your opponent. Why should Trump supporters support you over Jones?
We don’t need more politicians who talk. That’s what my opponent does. We need business leaders who act. I’ll deliver for Georgia the same type of business solutions that President Trump is bringing to our country. I’ll be like him, but with a Southern tone, and I can guarantee I’ll be his favorite governor.
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