Lt. Gov. Burt Jones quickly switched gears after making it to a runoff in the Georgia gubernatorial election, challenging his rival, healthcare executive Rick Jackson, to a debate.
Jones and Jackson made it to a runoff Tuesday after they took 38.4% and 32.5% of the vote, respectively. The two are largely ideologically aligned, distinguished by their pro-Trump credentials, while the anti-Trump Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger received just 15% of the vote. In the contest to decide which pro-Trump Republican will advance to the general election to face incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Jones is hoping to settle the matter in a debate.
In his challenge, Jones questioned Jackson’s pro-Trump credentials, and his campaign noted in its press release that Jones had been endorsed by Trump.
“Last time Rick Jackson was on stage, he claimed he couldn’t remember if he had illegal aliens working for him,” Jones said. “Since then, he’s been caught up in Forsyth County Court trying to avoid paying an illegal alien workman’s compensation after he got injured on his property.”
“I think voters would be well-served to hear from Rick Jackson again and see if he’s gotten himself better acquainted with the truth since his last time on the debate stage,” he added.
