Georgia Governor Candidate Highlights Benefits of Economic Policies Amid Rising Concerns
As the race for Georgia’s governorship heats up, Rick Jackson, a Republican candidate and billionaire CEO of Jackson Healthcare, is making waves with his candid remarks on economic policies. While Jackson extols the advantages of tariffs and tax reductions for his finances, these same measures are criticized for adversely affecting the working class.
Jackson, who is campaigning to succeed retiring Governor Brian Kemp, shared his views during a meet-and-greet in Thomasville on March 6. When questioned about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), a Republican-endorsed proposal aimed at slashing $1 trillion from Medicaid to finance tax relief for affluent individuals and large businesses, Jackson openly discussed the personal financial benefits he perceives from such policies.
“We extended the tax deductions, which are good,” Jackson stated. “If [Trump] hadn’t passed it—I’ll be honest with you—I’d be paying 40% more in taxes right now. I’d rather that money go to nonprofits than the federal government, so I like that part.”
Jackson’s assertion that reduced taxes for the wealthy could boost charitable donations is challenged by research. A 2008 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research showed no substantial link between tax reductions and increased philanthropy. Further analysis by the Tax Policy Center in 2024 indicated that similar tax policies in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act actually led to decreased charitable giving, as many working individuals ceased donations due to rising expenses.
The impact of OBBB is significant in Georgia, where an estimated 150,000 residents on Medicaid may lose their health coverage. This could also threaten hospitals and healthcare providers relying on Medicaid reimbursements. A rural hospital in Lavonia, for example, was forced to close its labor and delivery services last year due to the law.
“Over a period of the last five to 10 years, we’ve closed somewhere in the vicinity of 14 baby delivery systems,” remarked HomeTown Health CEO Jimmy Lewis to the Georgia Recorder. “It puts the community in an extremely adverse situation, both from a health care standpoint and from an economic development standpoint.”
Jackson also praised former President Donald Trump’s tariff policy, claiming it benefited his investment strategy. “The stock market went down last April when Trump announced [tariffs],” Jackson said. “I went and bought options on the day that happened because I knew that was crazy and made an 80% return in four weeks.”
Despite Jackson’s success, tariffs, which act as taxes on imported goods, have increased the prices of essentials like food and clothing, compounding inflationary pressures. An analysis by the Joint Economic Committee found that the cost of living in Georgia has risen by nearly $1,200 annually.
Jackson’s primary competition includes Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, with the primary scheduled for May 19.
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