Rick Jackson's $50 million ad blitz worked in GOP governor primary

Driving the news: Jackson, who's displaced Lt. Gov. Burt Jones atop polls with a flood of attack ads, has spent $50 million on advertising, according to a recent analysis by media research firm AdImpact.

• Allies of the health care executive promised to spend at least that double number, according to the AJC's Greg Bluestein, who shared the analysis.

As of April 6, AdImpact said, Jackson was the fourth-highest spender nationwide in the 2025-2026 election cycle.

Of note: Rival GOP campaigns say Georgians for Integrity, a PAC that has consistently attacked Jones, is effectively backing Jackson.

Zoom out: Spending on the Democratic side pales in comparison, with Jason Esteves' campaign and a pro-Esteves PAC spending roughly $1 million on media buys.

• Far behind him in second place is Keisha Lance Bottoms, the best-known of the candidates, who's spent $46,000.

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