By Will Daughtry
March 30, 2026
Governor primary drama
“We need to have someone that knows the job and should be governor,” Carr told AccessWDUN after the meeting. “This has to be about winning in November, and I’ll tell you who’s not going to win in November: It’s the person that raises their hand and says ‘I got the most money, and I have one endorsement.'”
Carr was referring to healthcare executive and billionaire Rick Jackson and current Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, who are both running in the Republican Primary.
Both Jackson and Jones have traded blows over the last few weeks, with Jackson releasing an advertisement attacking Jones as using his political power for self gain and Jones accusing Jackson of being a “Never Trumper.”
“I’m about my record and my vision for Georgia,” Carr told AccessWDUN. “We were never going to have the money that they did … If you are tired of watching those two guys just go at each other and be negative, I am the alternative that people are looking for.”
Carr’s record includes working as the commissioner for the state’s Department of Economic Development and being the Deputy Chief of Staff for former U.S. Senator for Georgia Johnny Isakson (R).
He also spoke on recent reports that Jackson skipped out an a candidate forum as well as reportedly speculating to a crowd that debates do not matter. Jones has since challenged Jackson to a televised debate.
“If you’re going to run, you need to be out there, you need to answer people’s questions,” Carr said. “Over the years … it really has come down to who can appeal to that independent, persuadable voter.”
Carr on ICE detention centers
With U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers being a hot-button topic, especially in Oakwood and Social Circle, Carr said we “shouldn’t be forcing it down that community’s throat.”
“We would cooperate [with ICE], because the primary role of state government is to protect its citizens,” Carr said. “We would work with them particularly as it relates to violent criminals.”
Carr added that he is confident there are communities that would welcome a facility.
“If there’s a community that doesn’t want an ICE facility, we shouldn’t be forcing it down that community’s throat,” Carr said. “I’m confident that there are communities in Georgia that would love to have been considered.”
Georgia Gubernatorial Candidate AG Chris Carr visits Rotary Club of Gainesville
Will Daughtry
3:51 pm on March 30, 2026
Breaking News | Local | Local/State News | Primary Elections 2026 | Today’s Headline
Attorney General Chris Carr, who will be on the ballot for Georgia Governor in the May 19 Republican Primary, visited the Rotary Club of Gainesville on Monday.
Governor primary drama
“We need to have someone that knows the job and should be governor,” Carr told AccessWDUN after the meeting. “This has to be about winning in November, and I’ll tell you who’s not going to win in November: It’s the person that raises their hand and says ‘I got the most money, and I have one endorsement.'”
Carr was referring to healthcare executive and billionaire Rick Jackson and current Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, who are both running in the Republican Primary.
Both Jackson and Jones have traded blows over the last few weeks, with Jackson releasing an advertisement attacking Jones as using his political power for self gain and Jones accusing Jackson of being a “Never Trumper.”
“I’m about my record and my vision for Georgia,” Carr told AccessWDUN. “We were never going to have the money that they did … If you are tired of watching those two guys just go at each other and be negative, I am the alternative that people are looking for.”
Carr’s record includes working as the commissioner for the state’s Department of Economic Development and being the Deputy Chief of Staff for former U.S. Senator for Georgia Johnny Isakson (R).
He also spoke on recent reports that Jackson skipped out an a candidate forum as well as reportedly speculating to a crowd that debates do not matter. Jones has since challenged Jackson to a televised debate.
“If you’re going to run, you need to be out there, you need to answer people’s questions,” Carr said. “Over the years … it really has come down to who can appeal to that independent, persuadable voter.”
Carr on ICE detention centers
With U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers being a hot-button topic, especially in Oakwood and Social Circle, Carr said we “shouldn’t be forcing it down that community’s throat.”
“We would cooperate [with ICE], because the primary role of state government is to protect its citizens,” Carr said. “We would work with them particularly as it relates to violent criminals.”
Carr added that he is confident there are communities that would welcome a facility.
“If there’s a community that doesn’t want an ICE facility, we shouldn’t be forcing it down that community’s throat,” Carr said. “I’m confident that there are communities in Georgia that would love to have been considered.”
Carr’s work as AG
Carr has been Georgia’s AG since being appointed by Governor Nathan Deal in 2016 and won elections in 2018 and 2022. In that time, he has overseen significant expansion in the criminal side of the AG’s office.
“In 2017 we got authority over domestic terrorists … 2019 we worked with Governor [Brian] Kemp and the legislature to get human trafficking authority, ’22 gangs, and ’24 organized retail theft,” Carr told the Rotary Club.
He told AccessWDUN he had to keep his speech to the Rotary Club centered on his capacity as AG. State Rep. Matt Dubnik (R-Gainesville) introduced Carr to the crowd at around 1 p.m.
“This is a man who believes in doing what he says he will do, a man who has stepped up and answered a call to put his name on the ballot … it’s a man that leads with integrity, a man who loves his family, and a man who certainly loves the state of Georgia,” Dubnik told the crowd.
Carr spoke to the crowd about how his office has tackled domestic terrorists, human trafficking, gangs, and organized retail theft.
“Georgia is the model for the nation as it relates to jobs and safety,” Carr told the crowd. “We are not Seattle, we are not Portland, we are not Minneapolis … we will not look the other way.”
Campaign sites, election day
The primary is set for May 19. Early voting starts April 27.
Carr’s campaign site can be found here: https://carrforgeorgia.com/
Jackson’s site can be found here: https://rickjackson.com/
Jones’ site can be found here: https://burtjonesforga.com/
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is also running, and his campaign site can be found here: https://bradforgeorgia.com/
Business executive Clark Dean is also running, as well as entrepreneur Gregg Kirkpatrick, Army National Guardsman Ken Yasger, and retiree Tom Williams.
