Rick Jackson on election night, May 19.
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n February 3, Rick Jackson held a press conference at his company’s Italian-inspired Roman Colosseum headquarters in Alpharetta to announce his decision to run for governor of Georgia. The healthcare staffing entrepreneur, who is running as an outsider who will cut taxes, crack down on criminal illegal immigrants and fix the health care system, has no experience in politics. What he does have are survival instincts, a rags-to-riches story and a fortune to spend. Forbes estimates that the 72-year-old -- who lives in a more than 35,000 sq. ft. home with at least 7 bedrooms, 20 bathrooms and 72 acres in Cumming, Georgia -- is worth at least $1 billion. So far he’s already dropped at least $50 million on ads touting his climb from foster care to financial success and says he’ll spend double that amount.
“If there’s one thing he’s proven, it’s that you can buy a third of the Republican primary vote,” says Dr. Charles S. Bullock III, a political scientist at the University of Georgia, following Jackson’s surprising win on May 19 to secure a spot in the June 16 Republican runoff pitting him against Trump’s pick, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones. Most polls show Jones prevailing by a couple points over Jackson; the winner will face former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in November.
