Burt Jones Makes May 13 Gainesville Stop in Crowded GOP

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones spoke to voters at noon on May 13 at The Vault on Green Street in downtown Gainesville. He appeared earlier that morning on WDUN's "Mornings on Maine Street" radio show to outline his campaign. The visit comes six days before the May 19 Republican primary for governor, where Jones faces seven opponents including polling leader Rick Jackson, fundraising leader Chris Carr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

Jones Accuses Rival of Buying the Nomination

Jones used the Gainesville stop to attack Jackson, the billionaire healthcare executive who entered the race in February. Jones charged that Jackson has spent more than $100 million on attack ads filled with lies to purchase the governor's seat. The negative tone matches the broader primary, where eight candidates compete and no one has cleared 50 percent in recent surveys.

Jones Stakes Out Positions on Data Centers, Energy Costs and Fraud

Jones vowed to continue the agendas of former governors Nathan Deal and Brian Kemp on cost-of-living relief and fiscal responsibility. He specifically stated that Georgia ratepayers should not foot the bill for the energy demands of data centers, aligning with President Trump's view. Jones has faced accusations over a family-linked development in Butts County that includes plans for 11 million square feet of data centers, though he maintains eminent domain was never used to benefit the project. On election integrity, Jones has criticized Raffensperger and Carr for failing to prosecute fraud, calling Fulton County elections unable to run a bake sale and accusing state officials of allowing corruption to persist.

Jones also tied his platform to keeping Georgia conservative while addressing rising costs for families, including energy and gas prices through tighter state spending.

Full Field Remains Competitive Six Days Out

The Republican primary ballot includes Jackson, who leads most polls, Carr with the highest external fundraising total, Raffensperger and Jones, who holds Trump's endorsement. The other four candidates trail far behind. A runoff is set for June 16 if no candidate reaches a majority on May 19.

Jones closed the Gainesville event by urging voters to support his conservative record ahead of the May 19 vote.