Georgia gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson is showcasing praise from Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) in a new advertisement as he makes his GOP runoff bid for governor against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R-GA).Kemp, the Peach State’s popular but term-limited governor, has so far withheld an endorsement in the race for his successor, despite weighing in on the state’s GOP Senate primary by backing Derek Dooley. Kemp’s lack of an endorsement in the gubernatorial race has received more attention after Jackson and Jones became locked in a competitive primary runoff, set for June 16. Adding to the drama in the race is the fact that President Donald Trump, who has had a rocky relationship with Kemp, endorsed Jones.“If you like Brian Kemp, you’re going to love Rick Jackson,” Jackson’s new ad says.
Kemp has not explicitly ruled out the option of making an endorsement in the race, as Jackson and Jones both seemingly vie for his coveted backing. Jackson, a billionaire businessman running as a political outsider, clipped comments Kemp made in a Politico interview and highlighted them in the 30-second ad.
“Jackson’s been a good supporter of mine. He’s a donor, he’s got a great story. And I’ve kind of felt like, for really two years now, that that race is ripe for political outsiders, especially somebody that can self-fund,” Kemp said in the clipped interview.
