The wait is now over as Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R) officially announces his campaign for Governor in 2026. Lt. Gov. Jones outlined his goals in an announcement video posted to X, covering a range of issues from tax reform to education and crime.
The announcement video begins with Jones explaining his vision for Georgia as a state where families are safe and businesses prosper. The video highlights Jones’s relationship with President Trump and his strong conservative record to portray him as reliable and trustworthy.
As Governor, Jones plans to eliminate the state income tax, keeping Georgia in step with Tennessee and Florida. He states that this will mean more money for Georgians and encourage businesses seeking to relocate here.
Jones also plans on tackling the fentanyl crisis with increased drug education in schools and enhancing penalties faced by dealers. Protecting Georgia’s Riley Gaines Act is also a priority, and Jones jokingly stated that anyone who disagrees can move to California.
The video concludes with a segment on Jones’s record as a football player at the University of Georgia (UGA). The idea is that Jones is carrying the same determination and attitude he had as a UGA football player into this race, and he will maintain it as Governor.
Alongside the video, Jones released a statement expressing his vision for Georgia and outlining his record. As evident from the video, part of the strategy is to align himself with the record and reputation of President Trump.
Framing himself as a MAGA loyalist, Jones stated, “I’ve also fought to deliver President Trump’s agenda here in Georgia from day one–and even took arrows from the radical left for doing it.”
At the end of the statement, Jones concluded, “I don’t back down from tough fights–I step up to deliver results–and that’s exactly what I’ll continue doing as Governor.” He continued, “Whether it’s supporting law enforcement, defending rural Georgia, or building a stronger workforce, I’m committed to putting Georgians first.”
The campaign is off to a great start with high engagement on X and strong fundraising. According to a press release from Jones’s campaign leadership, the latest fundraising report shows that the campaign already has $14 million on hand.
