Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones announced his campaign for governor on Tuesday, officially joining what is expected to be a competitive Republican primary. In a video posted to the social media platform X, Jones outlined his platform while underscoring his alignment with former president Donald Trump.
“I’ve also fought to deliver President Trump’s agenda here in Georgia from day one,” Jones said in the video, referencing his early involvement as a Trump campaign co-chair.
Jones enters the race with significant financial backing. His campaign launch includes a $10 million self-loan, and his leadership committee has reported holding at least $14.3 million in funds. By contrast, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, another Republican candidate, has raised about $3.5 million to date. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has not ruled out the possibility of entering the race.
Jones’s platform, which he refers to as a “bold game plan,” includes eliminating Georgia’s state income tax, increasing penalties for fentanyl-related crimes—including capital punishment—and strengthening laws targeting illegal immigration.
In addition to serving as lieutenant governor, Jones has ties to the business sector through his family’s company, Jones Petroleum, and a firm he founded, JP Capital & Insurance. With early fundraising advantages and a message closely tied to Trump’s political agenda, Jones’s candidacy is likely to reshape the dynamics of the Republican primary in Georgia.
