Georgia Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson dropped lawsuits against his primary rival, state Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, as the candidate courts an endorsement in the race to the general election against Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Jackson filed two lawsuits against Jones in the bruising primary battle that ultimately ended in Jackson winning a runoff election. A libel lawsuit brought against Jones in March was dropped earlier this month, and Jackson dropped a second lawsuit on Friday alleging that Jones used a campaign fundraising tool that gave him an unfair advantage.
As November nears, Jackson appears to be looking to bury the hatchet with Jones to receive his endorsement. His campaign told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that dropping the lawsuits was an effort to move forward.
“Rick is not looking backwards,” Garrison Douglas, a Jackson spokesman, said when asked about the lawsuits. “He is focused on making sure we defeat Keisha Lance Bottoms and deliver an agenda that creates opportunity for all 11 million Georgians no matter their ZIP code.”
Jones previously said any reconciliation would need to start with Jackson.
“I’m open for discussion, but it’s their move to make, to have a genuine conversation about it,” Jones told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Let’s not forget they filed a defamation lawsuit against me.”
Jones had also filed a lawsuit against Jackson, accusing Jackson and affiliated entities of libel and defamation stemming from allegations made during the campaign about the Jones family business. The lawsuit is still pending.
Jackson did not receive an endorsement from President Donald Trump nor term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) on the primary trail, while Jones did. The president and Kemp later backed Jackson.
The move by Jackson comes as recent polling paints a tight race against Bottoms to lead the Peach State. A recent Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey found Jackson held a 3-point lead over the former Atlanta mayor.
Additionally, Jackson holds an advantage over Bottoms among independent voters, according to the poll. Jackson has received cross-party endorsements from two Democratic sheriffs in the state.
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Jackson and Bottoms are scheduled to hit the debate stage Oct. 6 in a town hall-style debate hosted by Atlanta First News.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Jackson and Jones for comment.