Elected and community leaders highlighted Jones’ and Jackon’s record of corruption and refusal to stand up for Georgia
Today, as Georgians cast their ballots during early voting, the Democratic Party of Georgia launched the Jones and Jackson ‘Out For Themselves Tour’ in Columbus to call out Burt Jones’ and Rick Jackson’s long record of self-dealing and self-enrichment at the expense of Georgia taxpayers.
At the event, Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley, State Representative Teddy Reese, Councilwoman Simi Barnes, Democratic candidate for State House District 140 Marquese Averett, and community activist Gloria Tyson spoke about Jones’ and Jackson’s record of putting themselves ahead of what is best for Georgia.
Here’s what they had to say about Jones’ and Jackson’s longstanding corruption:
Minority Leader Hugley: “My colleagues and I have seen Jones weaponizing our precious legislative session time to pick fights and go after his GOP rivals. He’s blocked bills to advance his own agenda.”
Representative Teddy Reese: “As a matter of fact, even their colleagues that ran against them had things to say. Chris Carr said that Burt Jones’ corruption is unprecedented. He said ‘Republicans cannot ignore the cloud of unethical, illegal, and corrupt behavior that surrounds Burt Jones.’ That’s our current Attorney General, the man that is charged with taking care of our state from a legal perspective, pointing out unethical activities as well as illegal activities. If that’s what our attorney general is saying about the gubernatorial candidate, is he qualified to be governor? Absolutely not. And Georgia can do better.”
Councilwoman Simi Barnes: “What’s more, [Jackson] had to pay to fend off allegations that he ripped off our seniors just two years ago. He paid $700,000 to resolve allegations that he participated in a kickback scheme to bill Medicare for medically unnecessary equipment. That’s just low, and what’s really concerning to me is that while they get rich off our health care system, they’re running on the very same policies that make it difficult, near impossible, for Georgia families to get the help that they need.”
Candidate Marquese Averett: “Let’s not forget that they both support the cost-raising policies coming out of DC, like the tariffs that have jacked up all our bills. Let’s not forget that they both oppose Medicaid expansion, which has resulted in rural hospitals shutting down left and right and has left too many communities without care. And let’s not forget that they’re refusing to fight for price relief at the gas pump.”
Community Activist Gloria Tyson: “[Jones and Jackson] are embracing their own selves […]. That is a problem – and Georgians, we need you to get out there, pound the pavement.”
And as statewide early voting begins, here’s what to know about Burt Jones’ and Rick Jackson’s record of self-enrichment:
- Burt Jones has a long record of corruption and enriching himself in public office, including changing the law to benefit his family’s business by backing a plan to develop a massive data center project.
- He has also weaponized legislative session and has been accused of killing bills from his Republicans who backed his opponents in order to advance his political career.
- Rick Jackson has faced scrutiny for enriching himself on no-bid state contracts, making over a billion dollars from state agencies – all of which would pose a significant conflict of interest if elected governor.
- Jackson has also faced accusations of defrauding seniors by scamming Medicare through his company, and has admitted on several occasions that his policy decisions are driven by what will best benefit his bottom line.
This blatant self-enrichment comes as Jackson and Jones both oppose Medicaid expansion and support cost-raising policies coming out of DC, working to line their own pockets at the same time that Georgians are struggling to keep up with the cost-of-living crisis sweeping our state.
Other stops on the “Out for Themselves” tour will include Savannah, Macon, and Atlanta, for which details will be released in the coming days.
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