A new Cygnal poll shows Lt. Gov. Burt Jones leading the crowded 2026 Georgia Republican gubernatorial primary, with newcomer Rick Jackson rising quickly despite lower name recognition and a wide-open field of undecided voters.

The survey of 600 likely Georgia Republican primary voters, conducted February 5–6, 2026, finds Jones capturing 22% of overall support, while Jackson has surged to 16%. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger trails at 10%, and Attorney General Chris Carr sits at 7%, with a substantial 45% of voters still undecided.

Jones shows particular strength among Trump-aligned Republicans, where he commands 27% support, compared with Jackson’s 18% and 43% undecided, underscoring Jones’ strong connection to the MAGA base. In contrast, Jackson is performing well with traditional GOP voters, registering 19% support to Jones’ 15%, signaling his appeal to anti-establishment conservatives. Among the most consistent Republican voters, those who participated in all four recent GOP primaries, Jones jumps to 29%, demonstrating his solid footing among Georgia’s most reliable Republican electorate.

Cygnal notes that Jackson’s rise has narrowed Jones’ overall lead to six points, despite Jackson having roughly one-third the name recognition of Jones. Poll respondents indicate that recent attacks on Jones have slightly dented his favorable-unfavorable ratio, dropping it below 2:1, but his core support among MAGA voters remains strong.

The poll highlights a highly competitive and fluid race, with 38–45% of voters undecided across key segments. Conservatives interpret the results as a sign of voter appetite for America First leadership in Georgia, with Jones maintaining strong support from the MAGA base while Jackson shows momentum with traditional Republicans. If no candidate surpasses the 50% threshold in March, a competitive runoff is expected on May 26.

The poll was conducted via live calls and text-to-web matched to voter files. The Cygnal survey carries a margin of error of ±4.0%, offering an early snapshot of a gubernatorial primary that could shape Georgia’s political landscape in 2026.

President Donald Trump has endorsed Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones in the race.