President Donald Trump on Tuesday morning praised 2026 Georgia gubernatorial candidate Burt Jones, who currently holds a wide lead in the GOP field.
"The great Burt Jones has taken a big lead in the polls for Governor of Georgia. Why not, he has been a GREAT Lieutenant Governor? Go Burt, Go!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump included an image showing Jones at 47.2% in an early snapshot of the Republican field, far ahead of state Attorney General Chris Carr at 16.3% and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger at 7.1%.
The poll also showed 27% undecided, underscoring how much of the electorate is still up for grabs even as the contest begins to take shape.
The president's renewed attention to Georgia follows his August endorsement of Jones — a move widely seen as an attempt to consolidate the GOP behind a proven conservative fighter in what is expected to be one of the marquee governors' races of the midterm cycle.
Trump highlighted Jones' personal loyalty and his background as a former captain of the University of Georgia football team, portraying him as a tough-minded "warrior" equipped to deliver results, Politico reported.
Jones, the state's lieutenant governor since 2023 and a former state senator, is seeking to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.
Trump and Kemp have had a rocky relationship since the 2020 election, but the president's latest post makes clear he intends to be an active force in Georgia politics and that he believes Jones is best positioned to keep the Peach State on a conservative track.
Carr, meanwhile, is trying to close the gap while confronting internal GOP friction. He filed a federal lawsuit challenging the legality of Jones' campaign fundraising structure, arguing that certain funds should be blocked from use in the primary.
However, a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit, The Augusta Chronicle reported.
Trump's endorsement and the polls suggest the president's backing may be reshaping the field early, giving grassroots activists and donors a clear signal about where he wants the party to unite.
On the Democrat side, the race is already crowded, with names including former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and state Sen. Jason Esteves among a crowded group, as liberals again attempt to flip a statewide office in a state that has trended competitive in recent cycles.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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