Jackson withdraws lawsuits against Jones to seek endorsement for general election

Rick Jackson, the Republican nominee for Georgia governor, has formally dropped two lawsuits he had filed against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, his primary opponent. The suits—a March libel case and a later claim concerning a campaign fundraising platform—were dismissed as Jackson seeks to secure Jones' endorsement for the upcoming general election against Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms. Jackson’s spokesperson, Garrison Douglas, said the decision reflects a forward-looking strategy to defeat Bottoms and benefit all Georgians.

Jones responded that any reconciliation must start with Jackson, while reminding that he still has a pending defamation suit against him. Neither Trump nor Gov. Brian Kemp endorsed Jackson during the primary, though both later expressed support. Recent Rasmussen Reports polling shows Jackson with a narrow lead over Bottoms, especially among independents, and he has already earned endorsements from two Democratic sheriffs. A town-hall debate between Jackson and Bottoms is set for Oct. 6, hosted by Atlanta First News.