A tense exchange during the Georgia gubernatorial debate revealed a critical question hanging over Republican frontrunner Rick Jackson: does he employ undocumented immigrants? Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones directly challenged Jackson, accusing him of hypocrisy given his tough-on-immigration stance.
Jones pressed Jackson on allegations that undocumented workers were currently landscaping his mansion. The accusation cut to the core of Jackson’s campaign messaging, which heavily emphasizes border security and deportation of “criminal illegals.” The question was simple, yet Jackson’s response was anything but.
“I don’t know,” Jackson replied, a moment of hesitation that immediately fueled the controversy. He attempted to deflect, explaining the scale of his hiring – “thousands of people a year” – and claiming reliance on proper verification processes through third-party contractors.
However, Jones wasn’t satisfied. He pointedly noted Jackson’s initial ambiguity, stating he first claimed he did, then denied it. The exchange quickly escalated, with moderators intervening to move the debate forward, but the damage was done.
The debate followed a report detailing legal documents from a worker’s compensation lawsuit involving Jackson’s companies. These documents allegedly indicated a decades-long pattern of employing laborers, including those without work authorization, for property maintenance.
During a deposition related to the lawsuit, Jackson stated he was unaware his hires lacked proper documentation, yet admitted to not utilizing mandatory I-9 verification forms. He further explained a complex hiring structure, claiming he rarely dealt directly with employee paperwork.
Jackson maintained he wasn’t directly involved in the hiring process, stating employees were often contracted through other entities. This layered approach, he argued, distanced him from direct knowledge of individual worker’s legal status.
Despite the allegations, Jackson reiterated his commitment to aggressive deportation policies if elected. He previously stated he would make Georgia “number one” in deporting “criminal illegals,” regardless of their origin or beliefs.
Jackson’s campaign responded to the debate exchange by characterizing Jones’ attack as a tactic of a “corrupt politician.” They asserted Jackson would never knowingly hire someone illegally and would prioritize deportations as governor.
The primary election, scheduled for May 19th, features a crowded field of Republican candidates including Jones, Jackson, Attorney General Chris Carr, and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, all vying for the governorship.
