Lt. Gov. Burt Jones took questions at the Atlanta Press Club on Monday after healthcare CEO Rick Jackson backed out of a Republican gubernatorial runoff debate, setting up a final sprint in which Jackson’s absence became the centerpiece of Jones’ attacks.
When Lt. Gov. Burt Jones walked onto the Atlanta Press Club stage and found the podium across from him empty, he didn’t treat it as bad luck. He treated it as evidence.
Jones was the only candidate at the Monday debate because his opponent. healthcare CEO Rick Jackson. declined the invitation. citing a scheduling conflict. Jones is running against Jackson in the June 16 runoff. and the moment landed in front of reporters just as both campaigns are trying to control the narrative heading into a decision that will determine who faces Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms in November.
Even before the questions started flying, the choice of framing was clear. Jones used the open-mic portion of the event to press Jackson on issues of alleged wrongdoing and commitment to Georgians—while Jackson remained off stage and unresponsive from the empty chair.
Jones called out Jackson’s “commitment” and absence
As the only candidate on the Atlanta Press Club stage, Jones fielded journalist questions covering sports betting, balancing the Georgia state budget, tax credits and cuts, artificial intelligence and more. Throughout the session, he leaned on his record in the state house under Gov. Brian Kemp.
On taxes. Jones said. “Four years as the Lieutenant Governor we’ve lowered the state income tax all four years. I’ve always said I’d like to see us go to zero. We capped property taxes this past year. I’d like to see us continue to work on property taxes for homeowners in particular.” He added. “I’ve always said when we cut state income tax we’re going to do it responsibly and we’re going to do it methodically and that’s what we’ve done the last four years.”.
Questions about data center regulation brought a different line of defense. Jones said he had no stake in the industry even after prior reporting accused him of supporting new centers for financial gain. He said he is a supporter of data center construction in Georgia—including in Middle Georgia. where he has influence—but argued against subsidies and against raising power costs for customers to attract the facilities.
“I don’t have any personal business stake in the industry, but I’ve been accused of it. And my opponent, who is not here tonight, he does have ownership stake in data centers,” Jones said. “There has been a lot of things that this crowd that didn’t show up today has accused me of. and probably the reason they’re not here is because they don’t want to actually stand right next to me and try to convey the reason why the’ve been attacking us with a bunch of false claims.”.
He kept returning to the same problem: Jackson wasn’t there to answer.
In the section of the debate designed to let opponents ask questions of each other, Jones used the open mic stand beside his podium and directed a pointed list at the candidate who wasn’t in the room.
“If my opponent was here. if Jackson was here. I would just ask him very simply. you know. what is the deal with the Medicare fraud and the $750. 000 in settlement money he paid the Department of Justice. I would ask him about his campaign contributions to Stacey Abrams as well as Liz Cheney and Geoff Duncan. his association with organizations like Planned Parenthood. And last but not least. I would ask him about the question that tripped him up last time he was on stage. How many illegals do you have working in your company?” Jones said.
Jones referenced a prior debate moment when he asked about reports that illegal immigrants had been employed at Jackson’s Cumming, Georgia property. In that earlier exchange, Jackson initially said he did not do the hiring and then, when pressed, said “I don’t know.”
Jones said Jackson’s absence reflected character and a lack of willingness to answer hard questions. There was no response from the empty podium. Jones then continued taking questions for the remainder of the debate’s time slot.
Jackson skipped from another stop in the metro
While Jones was speaking in Atlanta, Jackson was in Cobb County. Jackson’s campaign declined the debate invitation. saying he had already scheduled a campaign event with Rick Scott. the former Republican governor of Florida and a longtime friend of Jackson. The event was held in Kennesaw at the time of the debate.
Jackson told supporters during his remarks, “I am asking every conservative, every Donald Trump voter, every Brian Kemp voter, every taxpayer, every parents, every small business owner, and every Georgian who is tired of being ignored to join us.”
Jackson’s team pushed back quickly against Jones’ claims
The fact that Jackson wasn’t on the Atlanta stage didn’t prevent his campaign from responding. His team clapped back at some of the claims Jones made.
When Jones said he was always one “who was raised that you show up. ” referencing Jackson’s absence. Jackson’s campaign team posted “you sure about that?” on X and released a video compiling headlines from the state legislature’s Sine Die decision. Sine Die means the legislature adjourned abruptly while there were still many state bills still on the table.
Gov. Kemp later called the legislature back for a special session to tie up loose ends on voting machine reform and redistricting.
Jackson’s team also challenged Jones on sports betting and data centers. During the debate, Jones again made clear that he supported those policy directions. Jackson’s campaign team accused Jones of profiting personally from both industries in Georgia and said “Burt’s bribe and spin machine was in full force.”.
Campaign timing and the next debate
Jackson is scheduled to continue campaigning in Walton County, Georgia on Tuesday. He has also agreed to a June 14 debate hosted by Gray television stations, but that event would take place just two days before the runoff election and after early voting has already been completed.
Jones has not publicly accepted the June 14 debate.
The outcome of the June 16 runoff will determine the Republican nominee who takes on Keisha Lance Bottoms. the former mayor of Atlanta. in November. Bottoms dominated the Democratic primary for governor in May. She has aligned her campaign with incumbent U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff. who is seeking reelection this cycle. creating what both campaigns will frame as a unified Democratic ticket—while Jones and Jackson each focus their attention on one another in the final stretch.
Burt Jones Rick Jackson Georgia gubernatorial runoff Atlanta Press Club debate Keisha Lance Bottoms Jon Ossoff Brian Kemp sports betting data centers Medicare fraud Department of Justice settlement Stacey Abrams Liz Cheney Geoff Duncan Planned Parenthood early voting