Rick Jackson, the billionaire founder of Jackson Healthcare, has officially entered the 2026 race for governor of Georgia, launching a $50 million self-funded campaign aimed at challenging the state’s entrenched GOP leadership. Jackson’s platform centers on aggressive tax cuts, freezing property taxes, enforcing criminal deportations, and eliminating “woke ideology” from Georgia’s schools.

The 71-year-old businessman, who rose from the foster care system to lead a company generating over $3 billion annually, framed his campaign as a fight against what he calls Georgia’s political “cartel.” “Career politicians are going to do nothing but keep you in the dark. It’s a cartel — and I’m coming to break it up,” Jackson said at his campaign launch event in Alpharetta, which featured a spotlight entrance and a crowd-filled celebration.

Jackson enters a crowded Republican field that includes Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, and Attorney General Chris Carr. His $50 million injection into the race, including a $40 million advertising buy, immediately ramps up the pressure on Trump-endorsed frontrunner Jones. Jackson’s first ad attacks Raffensperger, likening his actions during the 2020 election to “Judas,” highlighting Jackson’s positioning as an uncompromising outsider willing to confront the political establishment.

Jackson’s campaign contrasts his real-world conservative record with his rivals, whom he characterizes as “career politicians” prioritizing self-interest over Georgians’ needs. His team denied involvement in recent “dark money” ads against Jones, emphasizing that Jackson’s spending comes directly from his own wealth. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich publicly endorsed Jackson, praising his business expertise and personal story as vital assets for Georgia leadership.

The Republican primary, scheduled for May 19, is likely to require a runoff on June 16 if no candidate secures more than 50 percent of the vote. Jackson’s entry increases the odds of such a scenario, creating a dynamic contest for the GOP nomination in a state that has remained a conservative stronghold for over two decades.

Jackson’s campaign emphasizes his roots in Atlanta’s Techwood Homes and his rise from humble beginnings, using his life story to reinforce a message of resilience, self-reliance, and conservative governance. As the race heats up, Jackson positions himself as a bold alternative to the political establishment, ready to deliver America First policies for Georgia voters.