ATLANTA — President Donald Trump got on the phone for a “tele-rally” Wednesday evening to clarify any confusion about who had his endorsement for Georgia governor in the Republican primary: Lt. Gov. Burt Jones.
“I love you and I guess you at least like me,” Trump said after Jones introduced him to listeners as the “our best president in my lifetime.”
Jones backed Trump’s effort to challenge the results of the 2020 election, and was investigated for his role by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. The courts removed her from the case, which was then dismissed.
Trump and others were indicted, but Jones was not.
He “has my complete and total endorsement,” Trump said. “He blows his competition away.”
Polling has consistently shown wealthy entrepreneur and political newcomer Rick Jackson with a slight edge over Jones, a Republican who has worked his way up the political ladder in the General Assembly. Jones served in the state senate before winning election statewide as lieutenant governor, presiding over the chamber.
They have both sounded similar notes in candidate forums.
Jones said at one such event last month that discussions about issues, such as affordability and taxes, were less important than a gut check by voters.
“Everybody’s talking about the same thing,” he said at the Georgia Association of Manufacturers’ forum in Cobb County. “And so at the end of the day, the voters have to decide who it is that they think can best execute on these promises.”
Trump tried to clarify the answer for his own supporters.
Jones will be better on crime, job growth and taxes — and election integrity, the president said, reiterating what he has repeatedly said about the “disaster” of an election in Georgia in 2020.
Get out and vote for Jones, Trump said. “You’ve got to make it too big to rig.”