Georgia Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones officially entered the 2026 race for Governor on Tuesday.
Jones is reportedly trying to mold his campaign around President Donald Trump’s America First agenda, with his priorities geared toward lowering taxes, illegal immigration and fostering economic development, according to Fox 5.
“Georgia deserves a bold, unapologetic, and proven common-sense leader who will continue delivering real results for families and businesses across our state, and that’s why I’m proud to be running to be the next Governor of our great state,” Jones said.
Jones further touted his accomplishments as Lieutenant Governor, which include expanding educational opportunities.
His announcement came alongside a filing that shows Jones has $14 million in a committee that allows him to raise unlimited funds, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC).
Currently, Jones has only one Republican competitor. Georgia’s Attorney General Chris Carr declared he was running in November 2024. However, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has hinted at a potential run, as has Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
The AJC further reported that Carr disclosed Monday that he has so far raised more than $3.5 million towards his campaign.
On the Democratic side, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has entered the race, along with former church pastor Olu Brown, state Sen. Jason Esteves and state Rep. Derrick Jackson.
Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is unable to run again because of term limits.
Jones served in the Georgia Senate from 2013 to 2023, becoming one of Trump’s first campaign Co-Chairs in 2015, according to AccessWDUN. Jones was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2023.
According to his campaign website, Jones will be further focusing on addressing Georgia’s fentanyl crisis, public safety, building Georgia’s workforce, and backing rural Georgia through initiatives that will increase access to health care, protect farmland and invest into rural economic development.
