Newcomer Rick Jackson Leads in Georgia Governor's Race

Poll shows many undecided voters in wide-open GOP primary

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A new poll from Quantus Insights shows political newcomer Rick Jackson leading the crowded field of Republican candidates for Georgia governor, with 33% support. However, the poll also found that 37% of likely voters are still undecided, indicating the race remains wide open.

Why it matters

The Georgia governor's race is seen as a key battleground in the 2026 election cycle, with the winner likely to play a major role in shaping the state's policies on issues like voting rights, education, and the economy. The large number of undecided voters suggests the race is still very much up for grabs.

The details

The Quantus Insights poll, conducted February 17-18 among 1,337 likely voters, found Jackson leading Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, the previous frontrunner, by a margin of 33% to 16%. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Attorney General Chris Carr, and Clark Dean rounded out the field with 8%, 5%, and 0.3% support respectively.

  • The Quantus Insights poll was conducted on February 17-18, 2026.

The players

Rick Jackson

A political newcomer who has opened up a sizeable lead in the crowded Republican primary for Georgia governor.

Burt Jones

The current lieutenant governor of Georgia, who was previously seen as the frontrunner in the race but now trails Jackson by a significant margin.

Brad Raffensperger

The current Georgia Secretary of State, who is also running in the Republican primary for governor.

Chris Carr

The current Georgia Attorney General, who is also running in the Republican primary for governor.

Clark Dean

A candidate in the Republican primary for Georgia governor.

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What they’re saying

“In practical terms, [Jackson] begins the campaign already within five points of the undecided vote and roughly two-to-one over Jones, the next closest contender at 16%.”

— Quantus Insights, Polling firm (wrdw.com)

“That doesn't guarantee durability. Early leads can be a function of novelty, name recognition, or a temporary 'first look' bump. But it does establish Jackson as a top-tier contender immediately, and it ensures that the race will now be defined in part by whether Jones and the rest of the field can consolidate the large undecided pool.”

— Quantus Insights, Polling firm (wrdw.com)

What’s next

The next key milestone in the Georgia governor's race will be the Republican primary election, which is scheduled for June 2026. The winner of that primary will then face the Democratic nominee in the general election in November 2026.

The takeaway

The large number of undecided voters in the Georgia governor's race suggests the Republican primary is still very much up for grabs, despite newcomer Rick Jackson's early lead. The ability of the other candidates to consolidate support from those undecided voters will be crucial in determining the outcome of this closely watched race.