ATLANTA () — President Donald Trump announced that he is endorsing Georgia’s lieutenant governor in the 2026 governor’s race on social media Monday.

“Burt Jones for Governor has my Complete and Total Endorsement – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

The president said that Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones supported his campaign in 2016, 2020 and 2024. Jones was the first member of the Georgia State Assembly to endorse Trump prior to the 2016 election, Trump said.

“He is a WARRIOR, a successful Businessman, former SEC Championship winning Georgia Bulldogs football player (Known for his toughness!), and now, as Lieutenant Governor, Burt has proven he has the Courage and Wisdom to deliver strong results for the incredible people of his wonderful State and Nation,” President Trump said in the post.

Jones has been in politics for over 10 years, starting as a representative in 2012 before being elected lieutenant governor in 2022. He served as Georgia’s 25th District senator for 10 years.

Lt. Gov. Jones announced his candidacy on social media July 8.

“I don’t back down from tough fights–I step up to deliver results–and that’s exactly what I’ll continue doing as Governor,” Jones said. “Whether it’s supporting law enforcement, defending rural Georgia, or building a stronger workforce, I’m committed to putting Georgians first.”

As of Aug. 11, only one other Republican to officially declared their candidacy is Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr.

Keisha Lance Bottoms, Olu Brown, Jason Esteves, Derrick Jackson and Michael Thurmond have joined the race for the Democratic primary seat for governor.

“It’s clear that Burt Jones is only interested in one thing: serving as a yes-man to Donald Trump,” Bottoms said in a statement sent to . “I’ll put Georgians first, and I will never be afraid to stand up for our state. Georgians deserve a governor who will always put our state, not Donald Trump first. I’m running for governor to stand up for Georgians against the chaos in Washington, and to fight for lower costs, good jobs and economic opportunity.”