Politics
Georgia governor’s race remains a statistical tie despite Jackson’s spending advantage
A new poll puts Republican Rick Jackson at 46% and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms at 45%, with 8% of likely voters undecided. The close contest comes as Democrats show strong enthusiasm and President Donald Trump’s approval remains underwater in Georgia.
Republican Rick Jackson has spent far more than Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia’s governor’s race, but a new statewide poll finds the candidates virtually even with Election Day approaching.
Jackson leads 46% to 45% among likely voters, according to a poll of 1,000 Georgians conducted Oct. 7-15. Eight percent are undecided. The poll’s margin of error is 3.1 percentage points, making the one-point difference statistically insignificant.
Both candidates have secured overwhelming support from their parties: 94% of Republicans surveyed back Jackson, while 93% of Democrats support Bottoms. The results point to a contest shaped by strong partisan loyalty, with Democratic enthusiasm helping offset Jackson’s financial advantage.
The race is unfolding amid dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s job performance in Georgia, a political climate that could benefit Bottoms. Jackson, a billionaire businessman and Republican, has sought to build support by aligning himself with Trump and Gov. Brian Kemp. Bottoms is the former mayor of Atlanta.
The winner will take over the state’s top office after the Nov. 3 election, with voters choosing between two candidates offering sharply different political paths. The poll suggests neither campaign has yet persuaded enough voters to establish a clear lead.
The survey was conducted by telephone by the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs. Respondents were registered Georgia voters who said they were definitely or probably going to vote and had participated in at least one of the 2022 general election, 2024 general election or 2026 statewide primary.