Georgia’s political landscape is already heating up for the 2026 governor’s race, with a major development that could reshape the state’s Republican primary. On August 11, 2025, President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform to announce his “Complete and Total Endorsement” of Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, giving Jones a powerful boost in his quest to become Georgia’s next governor. For Jones, who has been a steadfast Trump ally since the early days of the former president’s political career, this endorsement is both a badge of honor and a potential lightning rod in an increasingly competitive state.
Trump’s endorsement, delivered in his signature style, left little room for ambiguity: “Burt Jones for Governor has my Complete and Total Endorsement – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” he wrote, as reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Trump praised Jones for his loyalty, saying, “He has been with us from the very beginning. I know his family well and have seen Burt tested at the most difficult levels and times.” The former president went on to highlight Jones’ commitment to growing Georgia’s economy, cutting taxes and regulations, and securing the southern border, according to Atlanta News First.
Jones, for his part, was quick to celebrate the endorsement, posting a photo of himself alongside a thumbs-up-giving Trump. “I’m honored to have President Trump’s complete and total endorsement in my race for governor of Georgia,” Jones declared. “From day one, I’ve fought to advance President Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda right here in Georgia — and I’ve taken plenty of arrows from the radical left for doing it. But just like President Trump, I don’t back down. We’ve delivered real results for the people of Georgia, and we’ll keep delivering when I’m governor.”
This alliance is hardly a surprise. Jones was one of the first Georgia Republicans to endorse Trump in 2016 and has been described as one of the former president’s most ardent supporters. His loyalty was on full display during the tumultuous aftermath of the 2020 election. Jones was one of 16 Republicans who signed certificates falsely proclaiming Trump the winner in Georgia—a state that, in a historic shift, went for Joe Biden, making him the first Democrat to win Georgia since Bill Clinton in 1992. Jones also pushed Governor Brian Kemp to call a special legislative session to overturn the election results, according to AP and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
These actions thrust Jones into the national spotlight and made him a hero to some on the right, but also a target for critics. Prosecutors considered criminal charges against Jones for his role in the 2020 election efforts, but in September 2024, the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia concluded that Jones did not act with criminal intent and declined to prosecute. Jones later touted this as proof of his authenticity as a Trump supporter, telling the state Republican convention in June 2025, “I’ve been the Trump guy since 2015, not ’16. I’ve taken all the battle scars and everything else. I know who ran and hid during 2020 and everything else. The circle is small.”
With Trump’s endorsement, Jones is now positioned as the early frontrunner for the Republican nomination. Yet, the race is far from settled. Attorney General Chris Carr, another high-profile Republican, is also running. Carr’s campaign has sought to cast him as the only conservative Republican who can win both the primary and the general election. “Chris Carr is the only conservative Republican who can win the primary and the general election,” campaign spokesperson Julia Mazzone said in a statement to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The Attorney General will continue to work with President Trump now and as Governor on the issues that matter to hardworking Georgians.”
The rivalry between Jones and Carr is not just about ideology. Carr is suing Jones, alleging that a special campaign finance structure known as a leadership committee allows Jones to skirt fundraising limits that apply to other candidates. This legal battle could have implications for how both campaigns are funded and perceived by voters.
The Republican field could grow even more crowded. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has been mentioned as a possible contender, though as of August 2025, only Jones and Carr have officially announced their bids. Whoever emerges from the Republican primary will face a formidable Democratic field. Five Democrats have thrown their hats in the ring, including former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, state Sen. Jason Esteves, state Rep. Derrick Jackson, and businessman and pastor Olu Brown. With Governor Brian Kemp term-limited and unable to seek reelection, both parties see a rare opportunity to reshape Georgia’s leadership.
Trump’s endorsement is a double-edged sword in Georgia, a state that has become increasingly competitive in recent years. While an April 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll found that about 85% of Georgia Republicans support Trump, his overall approval rating in the state sits at just 43%, with most independents disapproving. This dynamic has Democrats hopeful that Jones’ close association with Trump could hurt him in a general election. As former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms put it, “It’s clear that Burt Jones is only interested in one thing: serving as a yes-man to Donald Trump. I’ll put Georgians first, and I will never be afraid to stand up for our state.”
The Democratic Governors Association echoed this sentiment, with spokesperson Kevin Donohoe stating, “For Burt Jones, fealty to extreme, partisan politics has always trumped doing what’s right for Georgia — and that’s why this endorsement shouldn’t surprise anyone.” For their part, Jones and his supporters argue that aligning with Trump is a winning strategy for energizing the Republican base and delivering on conservative priorities like election integrity and tax cuts.
But history suggests that a Trump endorsement, while powerful, is not a guarantee of victory. In 2022, Trump’s slate of primary candidates in Georgia largely faltered, with most losing their races—including John Gordon, who lost to Chris Carr by more than 47% of the vote. Still, the Trump brand remains potent among Republican voters, and Jones is betting that it will carry him through the primary and beyond.
As the campaign ramps up, Jones has announced a kickoff event in Flovilla on August 26, 2025, signaling the start of what promises to be a bruising and closely watched contest. With both parties fielding experienced and well-known candidates, and with Georgia’s political balance hanging in the balance, the 2026 governor’s race is shaping up as one of the most consequential in the country.
For now, the spotlight is on Burt Jones and his high-profile endorsement. Whether that support will prove to be a blessing or a burden in a changing Georgia remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the battle for the governor’s mansion is just getting started.
