In New Interview, Burt Jones Refuses to Support Rick Jackson

In New Interview, Burt Jones Refuses to Support Rick Jackson

Georgia's GOP gubernatorial primary may be over, but Republican infighting certainly is not. While appearing on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's "Politically Georgia" podcast, former GOP gubernatorial candidate and Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones refused to endorse Rick Jackson's campaign for governor, and would not commit to voting for Jackson come November.

In a sign that Georgia Republicans remain deeply divided, Jones warned that "November is going to be a challenge" for Georgian Republicans with Jackson as the nominee. The AJC called Jackson's comments the "clearest sign yet that the Republican Party has not yet moved beyond a costly and bruising contest dominated by tens of millions of dollars in attack ads, dueling accusations of corruption and a proxy fight over the party's direction."

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Burt Jones on backing Rick Jackson: 'We'll see'

• Lt. Gov. Burt Jones still isn't ready to rally behind billionaire Rick Jackson's bid for governor.

• 'We'll see,' Jones told the "Politically Georgia" podcast when asked whether he planned to vote for Jackson. 'Obviously, I'm interested in supporting and keeping Georgia Republican-run and keeping it red. And I think November is going to be a challenge.'

• The remarkable answer underscored the fallout from one of the most vicious Republican primaries in recent Georgia history and raised fresh questions about whether Jackson can reunite the party ahead of a difficult November matchup against Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms.

• [Jones] said Jackson and his allies 'alienated' grassroots activists and other longtime GOP loyalists with a torrent of negative advertising that he says portrayed much of the GOP establishment as corrupt.

• Jones' comments offered the clearest sign yet that the Republican Party has not yet moved beyond a costly and bruising contest dominated by tens of millions of dollars in attack ads, dueling accusations of corruption and a proxy fight over the party's direction.

• Jones said he hasn't been asked to endorse, nor has he spoken to [Jackson] since his defeat.

• His warning comes as Republicans prepare for a challenging midterm election without Gov. Brian Kemp atop the ballot and with Democrats optimistic about electing U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff to a second term and winning the governor's race for the first time since 1998.

• Jones said he is willing to campaign for Mike Collins, the Republican U.S. Senate nominee, and Greg Dolezal, the party's pick for lieutenant governor. He also said several Republican allies have already sought his help. Jackson is not among them.

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