PersonUS

Rick Jackson

Republican candidate for Georgia governor, a healthcare industry executive.

Rick Jackson is the Republican candidate for Georgia governor in 2026. He won the party’s June runoff after a healthcare career and foster-care upbringing, with no material candidate story in the evidence bundle.

Last refreshed: 24 September 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Can Rick Jackson hold his one-point lead in Georgia's governor race?

Timeline for Rick Jackson

#18 23 Sept

YouGov puts Ossoff 10 points clear

US Midterms 2026

View full timeline →

Background

Rick Jackson is the Republican candidate for Georgia governor in the open 2026 contest. His candidacy places a healthcare industry executive in a statewide race that will decide Georgia’s next governor.

Jackson was raised in foster care and secured the Republican nomination in a June 2026 runoff. Those facts frame his public biography and route to the ballot, rather than a temporary campaign development.

Common Questions

Who is Rick Jackson (Georgia governor candidate)?

Rick Jackson is the Republican candidate for Georgia governor in 2026, a healthcare industry executive WHO won the GOP nomination in a June runoff.

Is Rick Jackson leading in the Georgia governor's race?

A YouGov poll fielded 15 to 18 September 2026 had Jackson at 45% to Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms' 44%, a one-point lead within the margin of error.Source: YouGov

Who is Rick Jackson running against for Georgia governor?

He faces Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, a former Atlanta mayor, in Georgia's open 2026 governor's race.Source: event

How the World Sees Them

Democrats

Call the one-point gap effectively a tie and note Bottoms remains competitive statewide. They point to her Atlanta mayoral record as an asset in the closing stretch.

Republicans

See Jackson's lead as validation of an outsider business pitch over establishment politics. His campaign highlights the poll as momentum with seven weeks to go.