This week, the Republican primary for governor lurched further to the right as the candidates clash on key policies and Trump-endorsed candidate Burt Jones continues to go full MAGA to defend himself against $8 million in brutal attack ads from a mysterious new group.
Here’s the state of play for this chaotic Republican primary:
NEW MAGA ATTACK VIDEO ROILS RACE: This primary has devolved into a race to the right as the Republicans brutally attack their opponents’ records.
- On Thursday, Jones put out a new ad viciously attacking Brad Raffensperger – the latest example of Jones doubling down on his record of election denial and MAGA extremism.
- Jones also said this week that Georgia taxpayers should foot the bill for Trump’s legal fees related to his failed attempt to overturn the will of Georgia voters.
- Jones is now frequently using his Twitter to viciously go after his opponents for being insufficiently MAGA.
DARK MONEY OUTSIDE SPENDING HITS $8 MILLION: Earlier this week, it was revealed that Georgians for Integrity is now spending $8 million to blast Jones for lining his pockets while in office.
- The ads have clearly rattled Burt Jones, who is now desperately urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to pull the ads that have become “nearly inescapable to many Georgians.”
- It’s unclear who is behind Georgians for Integrity and who is putting up the money, but it has caused intense infighting on the Republican side.
JONES PUSHES ANOTHER COST-RAISING POLICY THAT WILL DRIVE UP TAXES ON GEORGIA FAMILIES: With the legislative session set to start next week, Burt Jones and his allies on a Special State Senate Committee are pushing a fiscally irresponsible repeal of the income tax that would jack up taxes on middle class families to give a handout to the rich, worsening the affordability crisis and making Georgia a much more expensive place to live. The proposal is getting criticism even from Republicans:
- According to the Associated Press, Burt Jones’ proposal to eliminate the state income tax is “driven by politics,” and Governor Kemp has been “cool” to the idea.
- Burt Jones and Republicans pushing the plan “face questions about whether such big tax cuts can be made without raising other taxes or sharply cutting state funding for education, health care and other services.”
- Chris Carr has brutally attacked Jones’ tax plan, saying “there’s no way that you can eliminate the state income tax without raising taxes on about 90% of Georgians.”
- Carr has also said that Jones’ tax plan puts “[Jones’] family first” rather than the people of Georgia.
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