Rick Jackson's campaign announces endorsements from 104 sheriffs in Georgia governor's race
Republican candidate Rick Jackson says he has received the endorsement of more than 100 sheriffs across the state in his campaign to be Georgia's next governor.
Jackson, a billionaire health care tycoon, defeated Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in a hotly-contested primary earlier this year. On Friday, his campaign announced that 104 sheriffs have endorsed him for governor - nearly two-thirds of the total in the state. The endorsements include at least one Democrat, Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk.
"I'm deeply honored to earn the support of more than 100 sheriffs across Georgia, and I will never take their trust for granted," Jackson said in a statement. "I grew up in Atlanta's public housing, where we understood that safe neighborhoods depend on citizens and law enforcement standing together. As governor, I will always have the backs of law enforcement. I will give sheriffs the resources, personnel, and support they need, holding dangerous criminals accountable, and making state government a true partner in protecting every Georgia community."
Jackson will face former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in the November general election. Bottoms won the Democratic primary outright - receiving the majority of votes despite a crowded field. She's received some high-profile endorsements, including former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and former President Joe Biden.
Bottoms has touted her record on crime and public safety, pointing to her support of Atlanta's 85-acre public safety training center, located in DeKalb County. Opponents, however, have criticized her for her leadership during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests as well as around the shooting of 8-year-old Secoriea Turner, who was killed by armed men near the burned remains of a Wendy's where police fatally shot a Black man weeks earlier.
"I trust Rick Jackson because he understands what it takes to protect our communities. Those of us in law enforcement leadership have seen firsthand what happens when leaders don't support law enforcement, cities burn and criminals get emboldened," Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman said. "I trust Rick to make the tough decisions and make sure law enforcement has the support and resources we need to do our jobs. Rick is someone I'm proud to call a friend and someone I look forward to working with to keep Georgia safe."
Democrats in return have sought to tie Jackson to President Trump while arguing the billionaire had enriched himself while Georgians are struggling to pay for their health care.
