Several elected officials, business leaders, and candidates addressed a large crowd at the 2026 Georgia Congressional Luncheon at the Classic Center in downtown Athens on Wednesday. The event featured conversations with both of the state’s gubernatorial candidates, Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson. Governor Brian Kemp was also in attendance and in one of their first appearances together, Kemp publicly threw his support behind Jackson.
“It’s an honor for me to be here with Rick Jackson in support of his campaign for governor,” according to Kemp. “You know, being in our hometown where I started a small business, I thought about this just a second ago, with a pickup truck and a shovel. One of the reasons I think Rick Jackson’s the best candidate for being out 84th governor is because he’s really come up through some very tough times and knows what it’s like to be struggling.”
Jackson praised the governor’s accomplishments during his tenure and said he would like to continue those efforts.
“Thank you, Governor Kemp,” Jackson said. “I’m going to continue on what he has done with an unbelievable foundation. Obviously to keep cutting taxes, and property taxes. Freeze and reduce property taxes. I’m going to try to beat his record on putting together the most jobs, what he’s done in the rural areas.”
WUGA will have more from additional speakers at that event.
