Burt Jones takes shots at absent rival on the debate stage as Rick Jackson hits the campaign trail

By: Alander Rocha, Ross Williams

Outlets: Georgia Recorder

Published: June 2, 2026

Words: 943

Last Updated: 1 week, 2 days ago


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Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and wealthy healthcare executive Rick Jackson, both Republican candidates for governor, took differing campaign approaches Monday after Jackson missed a debate organized by the Atlanta Press Club, where Jones used an empty podium to continuously blast Jackson.

Jones and Jackson will compete in the June 16 primary runoff that will determine who will face Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms in November.

Jones, pointing several times to the empty podium, said …

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