Burt Jones

Burt Jones is an American politician and businessman serving as the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served in the Georgia State Senate representing the 25th district. Jones is a prominent figure in Georgia politics, known for his alignment with former President Donald Trump and his involvement in the state's 2020 presidential election controversies.

Early life and education

Burt Jones was born in Jackson, Georgia, and grew up in Butts County. His family has a long history in the region, with his father, Bill Jones, having served as a state senator. Jones attended the University of Georgia, where he earned a degree in Political Science and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. During his time at the University of Georgia, he developed an interest in public service and business. After graduating, he returned to Jackson, Georgia to join the family business, JP Capital & Insurance, founded by his father.

Political career

Jones began his political career with his election to the Georgia State Senate in 2012, representing the 25th district, which includes areas like Butts County, Jasper County, and Lamar County. In the Georgia General Assembly, he served on influential committees including the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee. He became a vocal supporter of then-candidate Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election. Following the 2020 election, Jones was a prominent figure advocating for the review of Georgia's election results and was one of the Republican electors who signed a certificate falsely declaring Donald Trump the winner of the state's electoral votes. In 2022, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, running on a ticket largely aligned with Governor Brian Kemp's agenda.

Political positions

Jones is a conservative Republican whose positions align with the platform of the national Republican Party. He is a strong advocate for Second Amendment rights and has supported legislation like Constitutional carry in Georgia. On economic issues, he favors lower taxes, deregulation, and has been a proponent of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. He is a staunch opponent of abortion and has supported restrictive legislation such as the Heartbeat Bill passed in Georgia. Regarding election integrity, following the 2020 election, he supported the Election Integrity Act of 2021 passed by the Georgia General Assembly. On education, he has championed school choice initiatives and voiced criticism of Critical race theory being taught in public schools.

Electoral history

In the 2012 election for the Georgia State Senate's 25th district, Jones won the Republican primary and then the general election against Democratic challenger. He was re-elected in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020 without substantive opposition. In the 2022 election for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, Jones won the Republican primary, defeating challenger Butch Miller. In the general election, he faced Democratic nominee Charlie Bailey, a former prosecutor in Fulton County. Jones defeated Bailey, with the race being influenced by the endorsement of former President Donald Trump and the support of Governor Brian Kemp.

Personal life

Jones is married to Rhett Jones, and the couple has two children. They reside in Jackson, Georgia, and are active members of the First Baptist Church of Jackson. Outside of politics, Jones is the president of JP Capital & Insurance, a family-owned business with interests in surety bonds and insurance. He is also involved in various civic organizations, including the Butts County Chamber of Commerce and the University of Georgia alumni association. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys hunting and fishing on properties in Middle Georgia.

Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:Lieutenant Governors of Georgia Category:Georgia (U.S. state) state senators Category:University of Georgia alumni Category:Republican Party state governors of Georgia (U.S. state)