Georgia · Governor · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Where do the candidates stand on public safety?
- Keisha Lance BottomsDemocrat
- Rick JacksonRepublican
Part of the full Georgia Governor comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026
Public Safety
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 more state support for local police, violence reduction programs, universal background checks and a red flag law, diversion for nonviolent cases, and prison reentry programs.
Show the evidence (2)Hide the evidence
- Campaign proposal
Proposes expanding Georgia Bureau of Investigation capacity and forensic help for local law enforcement, especially in smaller jurisdictions, targeted violence reduction efforts, universal background checks and a red flag law, more diversion and treatment for nonviolent cases, and a Prison to Work reentry initiative. SourceIssues (opens in a new tab)Keisha for Governor · Campaign
- Public statement
Points to police pay increases and her support for Atlanta's public safety training center as mayor. At the Oct. 6, 2026 town hall debate, said she is open to a moratorium on new Flock license plate cameras while privacy concerns are reviewed. 2 sourcesGeorgia governor candidate profile: Keisha Lance Bottoms (opens in a new tab)FOX 5 Atlanta · Oct. 12, 2026 · NewsBottoms and Jackson face off in gubernatorial town hall debate (opens in a new tab)GPB News · Oct. 7, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposal
Proposes expanding Georgia Bureau of Investigation capacity and forensic help for local law enforcement, especially in smaller jurisdictions, targeted violence reduction efforts, universal background checks and a red flag law, more diversion and treatment for nonviolent cases, and a Prison to Work reentry initiative. SourceIssues (opens in a new tab)Keisha for Governor · Campaign
- Public statement
Points to police pay increases and her support for Atlanta's public safety training center as mayor. At the Oct. 6, 2026 town hall debate, said she is open to a moratorium on new Flock license plate cameras while privacy concerns are reviewed. 2 sourcesGeorgia governor candidate profile: Keisha Lance Bottoms (opens in a new tab)FOX 5 Atlanta · Oct. 12, 2026 · NewsBottoms and Jackson face off in gubernatorial town hall debate (opens in a new tab)GPB News · Oct. 7, 2026 · News
Rick Jackson
Proposes more support for law enforcement, a statewide law-enforcement division to end child sex trafficking, more crime labs to clear testing backlogs, and mental-health evaluations in jails.
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- Campaign proposalSept. 2026
His Action Plan proposes a statewide law-enforcement division whose mission is ending child sex trafficking in Georgia, additional certified crime laboratories to reduce testing backlogs, rapid telemedicine mental-health evaluations in jails and courts, and tax relief for law-enforcement officers and veterans. His campaign website also proposes a public-service announcement "promoting respect for police, starting in schools." 2 sourcesThe Jackson Action Plan: Build What Works for Every Georgia Family (opens in a new tab)Jackson for Governor · Sept. 2026 · CampaignAction Plan (opens in a new tab)Jackson for Governor · Campaign
- Public statementOct. 6, 2026
At the Oct. 6 debate, said sheriffs "should not be mental health professionals" and that he would build more mental-health beds. He said he would not put a moratorium on Flock license-plate cameras but would tighten access restrictions to prevent misuse. 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 videoBottoms and Jackson face off in gubernatorial town hall debate (opens in a new tab)GPB News · Oct. 7, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposalSept. 2026
His Action Plan proposes a statewide law-enforcement division whose mission is ending child sex trafficking in Georgia, additional certified crime laboratories to reduce testing backlogs, rapid telemedicine mental-health evaluations in jails and courts, and tax relief for law-enforcement officers and veterans. His campaign website also proposes a public-service announcement "promoting respect for police, starting in schools." 2 sourcesThe Jackson Action Plan: Build What Works for Every Georgia Family (opens in a new tab)Jackson for Governor · Sept. 2026 · CampaignAction Plan (opens in a new tab)Jackson for Governor · Campaign
- Public statementOct. 6, 2026
At the Oct. 6 debate, said sheriffs "should not be mental health professionals" and that he would build more mental-health beds. He said he would not put a moratorium on Flock license-plate cameras but would tighten access restrictions to prevent misuse. 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 videoBottoms and Jackson face off in gubernatorial town hall debate (opens in a new tab)GPB News · Oct. 7, 2026 · News
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