Georgia’s gubernatorial race between the two leading candidates -- billionaire outsider Rick Jackson and Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones (R-GA) -- has quickly escalated after the release of new campaign ads targeting each other's reputations.
Just yesterday, the Lt. Governor published two new ads, alleging that Jackson’s healthcare company had been involved in the staffing and recruiting of gender-affirming care and abortion procedures.
In response to these claims, Jackson filed a defamation lawsuit, accusing the Jones campaign of knowingly spreading disinformation. Lt. Gov. Jones mocked this attempt by Jackson on X, calling him ‘Slick Rick Jackson’ and claiming that he simply has thin skin.
Another day, another lawsuit from Slick Rick Jackson. While we're out here earning votes across Georgia, Rick's sending his high dollar henchmen lawyers to file paperwork trying to silence the truth. Georgia isn't buying it. pic.twitter.com/nO8vntSwDs
— Burt Jones (@burtjonesforga) March 11, 2026
Lt. Gov. Jones then posted again, accusing Jackson of lying about his affinity for President Donald Trump. This is based on a recent Fox News report showing that Jackson actually donated to Liz Cheney, a prominent opponent of the President who voted to impeach him just weeks before.
.@RickJacksonGA says he'll be President Trump's "favorite," but not only did he back candidates running against Trump, he donated to Liz Cheney after she joined Democrats to impeach Trump. Slick Rick's past is catching up to him. #gapol pic.twitter.com/GnBNyEnJ7C
— Burt Jones (@burtjonesforga) March 12, 2026
Jackson's Response
In response to all of these claims, the Jackson campaign released a new video advertisement featuring the Lt. Governor himself in an interview discussing Jackson. In the video, Jones praises him for being a ‘good friend’ and for making commitments to the State of Georgia.
According to Jackson’s campaign, Jones is currently losing and has now resolved to lie about Jackson’s character to make up the difference. The video concludes with the idea that Jones doesn’t even believe his own remarks.
Here’s what @burtjonesforga said about me before I was running against him. pic.twitter.com/kFqDe55ND8
— Rick Jackson (@RickJacksonGA) March 12, 2026
