Jackson outlines vision for Georgia in bid for governor

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Early voting is underway in the race for governor of Georgia, with Republican Rick Jackson facing Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Jackson, the billionaire founder of Jackson Healthcare, is running for governor as a political outsider.

“This state gave me a chance. Now I want to give everything, I lived, everything I’ve learned, and everything I’ve built to work for Georgia,” Jackson said.

“I’m running for Governor for every Georgia that knows struggle, or uncertainty and wants a better life for their family,” Jackson said.

Jackson frequently points to his upbringing in the foster care system and his success building a health care company.

“By the odds I was never supposed to be here, not on this stage, not running to be the Governor of Georgia, not standing here asking for your vote. My story is about what someone can build when given a fair shot. A governor for all 11 million Georgians to have that opportunity,” Jackson said.

His campaign has centered on lowering the cost of living, cutting taxes, and reducing government red tape.

“Overall health care, we have perverse incentives, and our insurance companies need to be held more accountable, we want to eliminate the ability of insurance companies to practice medicine in Georgia by denying care that a doctor orders by that standpoint,” Jackson said.

If elected as governor, Jackson says his plan would include cutting Georgia’s income tax in half over four years, cutting property taxes and tuition at public colleges and technical schools, and lowering health care costs for Georgians.

“I will show up, I will stay, I will finish the job, as Governor I will lower costs, cut taxes, build stronger schools, make healthcare more affordable, support law enforcement, protect taxpayers, and create other opportunities in every corner of Georgia,” Jackson said.