The late-breaking news Sunday that Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp was endorsing Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in his gubernatorial primary runoff sent shockwaves across the political universe. Locked in a tight race with billionaire businessman Rick Jackson, Jones welcomed the nod from the popular governor, hoping the endorsement would sway (or even flip) enough Republican voters in today’s runoff to get him across the finish line and into November’s general election against Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Jones’ staff showed off their nimbleness Monday, quickly piecing together a new ad (see below) highlighting Kemp’s endorsement and the work the pair have done serving together, from tax cuts and teacher raises to tort reform. Political scientists nationwide will surely be looking on with interest, waiting to see just how much a late endorsement from the state’s most popular Republican can sway a race, even when it comes just 48 hours before election day (and with early voting already wrapped up).
The latest polling from InsiderAdvantage shows Jackson holding onto the slightest one point leads going into election day, well within the margin of error. A swing of just two or three percentage points statewide could make all the difference in what looks to be a photo finish.
