Governor Brian Kemp (R-GA) endorsed Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones (R-GA) for Governor just days before the June 16th runoff election against billionaire outsider Rick Jackson.
What does this endorsement mean for the Jones Campaign? This endorsement from the Governor gives the Jones Campaign a last-minute boost in momentum as Republicans in Georgia prepare to nominate their candidate for Governor.
What lawmakers are saying:
- Gov. Kemp: “Whether it was during his service in the state senate or as Lt. Governor, [Lt. Gov. Jones] has been a strong, trusted ally in those victories for the people of our state. He worked hard alongside me and my administration to return over $9 billion back to taxpayers, raise pay and retirement benefits for state law enforcement, and he never wavered when we took on the special interests to pass meaningful tort reform for the first time in twenty years. Burt knows how to get things done as governor because that’s what he has done as a state senator and as your Lt. Governor.”
- Lt. Gov. Jones: “I've been grateful to work alongside [Gov. Kemp] for the past four years, and it is my honor today to receive his full endorsement. It's time we come together as a party, finish strong on Tuesday, and look to November and keep fighting for all the principles, freedoms, and values that make Georgia the best state in the nation.”
Context: This endorsement didn’t necessarily come as a surprise, but the timing of it did. Gov. Kemp maintained a neutral position for almost the entire election cycle despite his partnership with Lt. Gov. Jones.
According to Atlanta-Journal Constitution Contributor Greg Bluestein, the two figures don’t have a particularly warm relationship since the chaos of the 2020 general election.
Jones apparently discussed this with Bluestein and assured him that they agree on 98% of the issues and respectfully disagree on 2%.
This recent endorsement aligns with several high-level endorsements for the Lt. Governor, including those from President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Representative Andrew Clyde (R-GA), and Representative Brian Jack (R-GA).
