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President Donald Trump on Monday endorsed Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones for governor, backing one of his key allies in what is shaping up to be a high-profile and competitive race in 2026.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Jones as “a warrior” and highlighted his business success, political experience, and athletic background as a former captain of the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team.
“He is a warrior, a successful businessman, former SEC Championship winning Georgia Bulldogs football player (known for his toughness!), and now, as Lieutenant Governor, Burt has proven he has the courage and wisdom to deliver strong results for the incredible people of his wonderful state and nation,” Trump wrote.
Jones, a staunch conservative and longtime supporter of Trump, is aiming to replace Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, whose relationship with Trump has remained tense since the 2020 election. Jones served in the Georgia Senate for a decade before becoming lieutenant governor in 2023.
“I’ve been the Trump guy since 2015, not ’16,” Jones said. “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.”
He is expected to face a tough Republican primary challenge from Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr.
Last week, Carr filed a federal lawsuit accusing Jones of campaign finance violations related to a $10 million loan made to a campaign committee. The state ethics commission declined to investigate the matter, and Jones has denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations politically motivated.
Democrats are preparing for a competitive general election, with several prominent candidates already in the race, including former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, state Sen. Jason Esteves and pastor Olu Brown. The party hopes to reclaim the governor’s office for the first time in more than two decades.
Trump’s endorsement is expected to carry significant weight in Georgia, a state he won in 2024 after narrowly losing it in 2020. His support has played a decisive role in Republican primaries across the nation, and political observers say it could give Jones a major advantage.
