ATLANTA — With days to go before the final votes are cast in Georgia’s Republican gubernatorial runoff, President Donald Trump committed to another tele-rally to help his preferred candidate across the finish line.
Last month, Trump said, “I love you,” after Lt. Gov. Burt Jones introduced him during a public phone call.
Trump’s endorsement has been a core asset for Jones in his campaign against self-funded entrepreneur Rick Jackson.
Jackson has tried to complicate the narrative for Trump loyalists, calling the president an inspiration and a role model, saying he would govern like him. Jones has repeatedly noted that he is the only candidate in the race with the president’s endorsement.
Democrats countered Jones’ tele-rally announcement on X Wednesday, saying Jones had tied himself to a president whom they contend had raised costs for Georgians by imposing tariffs.
“Burt Jones has shown Georgians time and again that the only approval he’s looking for is Donald Trump’s,” a spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Georgia said in a statement.
Jones and Jackson emerged from the May 19 Republican primary ahead of six other candidates.
Jones won just over 38% of the vote, about 6 percentage points ahead of Jackson.
Soon after, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, who won about 12% of the vote, threw his support behind Jackson.
Given the margin in the first round, Carr’s endorsement could swing enough votes to influence the outcome Tuesday.
“In this runoff, you have a chance to choose a leader who will put Georgians first,” Carr said in a statement, “and Rick Jackson is that person.”
But Trump, who was scheduled to call into the tele-rally at 7 p.m. Thursday, has repeatedly shown an ability to influence primary outcomes.