Georgia · Governor · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Where do the candidates stand on the economy and taxes?
- Keisha Lance BottomsDemocrat
- Rick JacksonRepublican
Part of the full Georgia Governor comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026
Economy & Taxes
Each position is labeled by what it rests on: a campaign proposal, a public statement, a past action such as a vote or lawsuit, or an enacted policy. Where nothing is documented, the page says so.
Documented positions
Keisha Lance Bottoms
Proposes letting local governments suspend sales taxes on groceries, cutting state taxes on auto insurance and gasoline, and raising the minimum wage for state employees.
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- Campaign proposal
Proposes giving cities and counties the option to eliminate or temporarily suspend local sales taxes on groceries and essentials such as diapers and baby formula. Her driving-costs plan would eliminate Georgia's 2.25% state tax on auto insurance premiums, limit insurance rate increases to once a year and lower the state gasoline tax to 28 cents per gallon. 2 sourcesIssues (opens in a new tab)Keisha for Governor · CampaignGeorgia governor candidate profile: Keisha Lance Bottoms (opens in a new tab)FOX 5 Atlanta · Oct. 12, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 6, 2026
At the Oct. 6, 2026 Atlanta News First town hall debate, said she wants to raise the minimum wage for state employees, as she did for city employees as mayor. FOX 5 reports she has also advocated raising Georgia's minimum wage to $15 an hour. 2 sourcesBottoms and Jackson face off in gubernatorial town hall debate (opens in a new tab)GPB News · Oct. 7, 2026 · NewsGeorgia governor candidate profile: Keisha Lance Bottoms (opens in a new tab)FOX 5 Atlanta · Oct. 12, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposal
Proposes giving cities and counties the option to eliminate or temporarily suspend local sales taxes on groceries and essentials such as diapers and baby formula. Her driving-costs plan would eliminate Georgia's 2.25% state tax on auto insurance premiums, limit insurance rate increases to once a year and lower the state gasoline tax to 28 cents per gallon. 2 sourcesIssues (opens in a new tab)Keisha for Governor · CampaignGeorgia governor candidate profile: Keisha Lance Bottoms (opens in a new tab)FOX 5 Atlanta · Oct. 12, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 6, 2026
At the Oct. 6, 2026 Atlanta News First town hall debate, said she wants to raise the minimum wage for state employees, as she did for city employees as mayor. FOX 5 reports she has also advocated raising Georgia's minimum wage to $15 an hour. 2 sourcesBottoms and Jackson face off in gubernatorial town hall debate (opens in a new tab)GPB News · Oct. 7, 2026 · NewsGeorgia governor candidate profile: Keisha Lance Bottoms (opens in a new tab)FOX 5 Atlanta · Oct. 12, 2026 · News
Rick Jackson
Proposes halving the state income tax in his first term, ending state income tax on tips and state energy taxes, and suspending the gas tax during price spikes.
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- Campaign proposalSept. 2026
His Jackson Action Plan proposes cutting Georgia's income tax in half over his first term, which it says would be done with spending discipline and revenue safeguards; eliminating the state income tax on tips; eliminating state taxes on energy for families and small businesses; and suspending the state gas tax during major price shocks. FOX 5 reports the gas-tax suspension would last 60 days and be triggered by increases of at least 35 cents a gallon within seven days or 75 cents within 30 days. 2 sourcesThe Jackson Action Plan: Build What Works for Every Georgia Family (opens in a new tab)Jackson for Governor · Sept. 2026 · CampaignGeorgia governor candidate profile: Rick Jackson (opens in a new tab)FOX 5 Atlanta · Oct. 12, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 6, 2026
At the Oct. 6 town hall debate, said he had committed to cut the income tax in half in his first term or not run again, and that using current technology to make government more efficient would cut overhead and allow income tax cuts. FOX 5 reports he says lost revenue would be offset by economic growth, lower government operating costs and updated technology. 2 sourcesRead the full transcript from the town hall debate between Keisha Lance Bottoms, Rick Jackson (opens in a new tab)Atlanta News First · Oct. 6, 2026 · Transcript or videoGeorgia governor candidate profile: Rick Jackson (opens in a new tab)FOX 5 Atlanta · Oct. 12, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposalSept. 2026
His Jackson Action Plan proposes cutting Georgia's income tax in half over his first term, which it says would be done with spending discipline and revenue safeguards; eliminating the state income tax on tips; eliminating state taxes on energy for families and small businesses; and suspending the state gas tax during major price shocks. FOX 5 reports the gas-tax suspension would last 60 days and be triggered by increases of at least 35 cents a gallon within seven days or 75 cents within 30 days. 2 sourcesThe Jackson Action Plan: Build What Works for Every Georgia Family (opens in a new tab)Jackson for Governor · Sept. 2026 · CampaignGeorgia governor candidate profile: Rick Jackson (opens in a new tab)FOX 5 Atlanta · Oct. 12, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 6, 2026
At the Oct. 6 town hall debate, said he had committed to cut the income tax in half in his first term or not run again, and that using current technology to make government more efficient would cut overhead and allow income tax cuts. FOX 5 reports he says lost revenue would be offset by economic growth, lower government operating costs and updated technology. 2 sourcesRead the full transcript from the town hall debate between Keisha Lance Bottoms, Rick Jackson (opens in a new tab)Atlanta News First · Oct. 6, 2026 · Transcript or videoGeorgia governor candidate profile: Rick Jackson (opens in a new tab)FOX 5 Atlanta · Oct. 12, 2026 · News
In their own words
Statements
Keisha Lance Bottoms
Tax relief
And then also, I want to suspend the grocery tax or allow localities to suspend the grocery taxes and also suspend taxes on diapers, feminine hygiene products, and other goods that are making it more difficult for people to afford groceries.
Keisha Lance Bottoms · Answer to a voter's question about tax relief at the Atlanta News First town hall debate in Doraville · Oct. 6, 2026
SourceRead the full transcript from the town hall debate between Keisha Lance Bottoms, Rick Jackson (opens in a new tab)Atlanta News First · Oct. 6, 2026 · Transcript or video
Rick Jackson
Income tax
Well, first of all, I have committed to cut the income tax in half the first term or I won’t run again.
Rick Jackson · Answer to a voter's question about tax relief at the Atlanta News First town hall debate in Doraville · Oct. 6, 2026
SourceRead the full transcript from the town hall debate between Keisha Lance Bottoms, Rick Jackson (opens in a new tab)Atlanta News First · Oct. 6, 2026 · Transcript or video
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