Rick Jackson hosts campaign rally in Monroe County with Gov. Brian Kemp

Rick Jackson joined by Gov. Brian Kemp and other GOP leaders in Forsyth

FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Republican nominee for Georgia governor Rick Jackson brought his campaign to Middle Georgia Monday night, holding a rally at the Monroe County Conference Center in Forsyth.

Jackson was joined on stage by several Republican leaders, including Governor Brian Kemp, U.S. Congressman Austin Scott and State Senator Greg Dolezal, who is running for lieutenant governor.

Jackson focused his remarks on lowering costs, cutting taxes and strengthening Georgia schools.

“I will finish the job as governor. I will lower costs, cut taxes, build stronger schools,” Jackson said.

Jackson also used the rally to criticize Democratic gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms and her record as mayor of Atlanta.

“Keisha Lance Bottoms chose not to see a second term while Atlanta faced COVID, civil unrest, and a violent crime crisis,” Jackson said. “When the job got hard, she walked away that is dereliction and disgrace.”

Kemp also voiced his support for Jackson during the rally, urging supporters to back the Republican nominee in the November election.

“Do we want a governor who will not quit when times get tough?” Kemp said. “Do we want a governor that will always put the people of this state first? Then we better make sure we elect Rick Jackson on November 3rd.”

Jackson has made affordability a major part of his campaign. His campaign’s platform calls for cutting Georgia’s state income tax in half within four years, while also proposing changes aimed at reducing healthcare costs and expanding access to rural healthcare.

Jackson also has proposed an expansion of Medicaid coverage that he describes as an “intelligent Medicaid expansion,” while maintaining work requirements for some recipients.

During Monday’s rally, Jackson also said he wants to address child sex trafficking in Georgia.

Monroe County District Four Commissioner Al Turner spoke about Jackson’s background and said he believes Jackson’s life experience is part of what drives his campaign.

“Jackson, He grew up in poverty, he grew up without a father being in the household and he really lived the American dream,” Turner said.

Jackson and Bottoms are scheduled to face each other in a town hall-style event hosted by Atlanta News First on October 6. That is currently the only confirmed joint debate between the two candidates.

Georgia voters will choose the state’s next governor in the November 3 general election.

41NBC has reached out to the Jackson campaign for an interview after he won the primary, and the campaign has continued to dodge our questions. We attempted to ask Jackson a couple of questions following the rally but, we were physically escorted away by force by police officers.