Burt Jones Highlights Opponent's Spending in Georgia Runoff Race

WHO:

CNN - Burt Jones, Georgia Lt. Gov. and Rick Jackson, a billionaire and former healthcare executive.

CNN - Keisha Lance Bottoms, the Democratic former mayor of Atlanta.

CNN - Donald Trump, President of the United States.

Newsweek - Burt Jones, endorsed by Trump, and Rick Jackson.

WHAT:

CNN - Rick Jackson is spending over $100 million on his campaign for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in Georgia.

CNN - Jackson garnered roughly a third of the vote in the primary, leading to a runoff with Jones.

CNN - Jackson finished 6 points behind Jones in the GOP primary.

CNN - Jackson has contributed more than $100 million to his campaign and spent $90 million on advertising, producing over 380 unique ads and generating more than 450 million impressions.

CNN - Jones has loaned his campaign $25 million and spent over $35 million on advertising.

Newsweek - Jones trails Jackson by 3 points in the runoff poll.

WHERE:

CNN - Georgia, specifically in the context of the gubernatorial race.

WHEN:

CNN - The runoff election is scheduled for a Tuesday.

CNN - The general election is set for November.

WHY:

CNN - Jones criticizes Jackson's spending as an attempt to "buy our vote."

CNN - Jackson argues that he must "earn" the election despite his wealth.

HOW:

CNN - Jackson has leveraged his personal fortune to fund his campaign and has utilized AI-generated imagery in his ads.

CNN - Jones has relied on Trump's endorsement and held a tele-rally with him.

(UPDATED June 16, 2026 12:39 UTC)

In the heated gubernatorial race in Georgia, Rick Jackson, a billionaire and former healthcare executive, is pouring over $100 million into his campaign, while Burt Jones, the state's lieutenant governor, has received an endorsement from President Trump and is trailing Jackson by three points in the runoff poll. Jackson, who finished six points behind Jones in the GOP primary, has produced over 380 unique ads and generated more than 450 million impressions, while Jones has loaned his campaign $25 million and spent over $35 million on advertising. The runoff election is set for a Tuesday, with the general election scheduled for November, as both candidates navigate a contentious battle for votes, with Jones criticizing Jackson's spending as an attempt to "buy our vote."