ATLANTA—Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones (R-GA) sat down for an exclusive interview with Dome Politics and discussed the possibility of running for Governor at the end of Gov. Brian Kemp's (R-GA) term. Kemp is term-limited and will leave office in January 2027.
Dome Politics Publisher Javier Manjarres asked Lt. Gov. Jones about his willingness to run for office. He gave a witty answer.
"Well, you know, the rumor of me being in political office is true. I'm the Lt. Gov. currently, and that is really what I'm focused on right now," said Lt. Gov. Jones. "Obviously, I get the question, 'Are you going to run for governor, Kemp's term is coming up. You're already sitting in the No. 2 position.' And I'm going to look at it. I'm going to get done with this session, and then look at the landscape and then make a call from there."
Furthermore, Jones shared that he doesn't see himself as an elected official who is constantly attempting to move up the ladder to the next position to stay relevant or gain political fame.
"I'm not like a politician in the fact that I'm not looking for the next role. I got elected to do this job, and I got to finish this thing out," said Jones.
As for policy, Lt. Gov. Jones recently introduced the Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act for the 2025 legislative session. State Senator Russ Goodman (R-GA) sponsored the legislation establishing "stiffer criminal penalties for fentanyl offenses."
Georgia's Lt. Gov. shared that this initiative will build upon the previous year's efforts in the state upper chamber and address fentanyl pushers "to the fullest extent of the law" in the Peach State in lockstep with President Donald Trump's (R) administration.
As for Brian Kemp, he could be gearing up to challenge Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) for his seat in 2026. According to the latest polling from Tyson Group, Kemp holds a significant advantage against Ossoff and polls 10% better than other Republicans such as Georgia Representatives Buddy Carter and Marjorie Taylor Greene.
A new Tyson Group poll of 600 likely Georgia voters tests Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff against three hypothetical opponents: Gov. Kemp and Reps. Buddy Carter and Marjorie Taylor Greene. #gapol pic.twitter.com/fg0yrnCt54
— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) February 13, 2025
