Latest news with #DerrickJackson
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Progressive Candidate Bucks Establishment in Run For Governor
Launching a gubernatorial campaign with a conversation about the need for reparations for descendants of the enslaved isn't something you see every day— especially in Georgia. But state Rep. Derrick Jackson, D-Tyrone, who officially announced his bid for governor last week, says he wants to be a voice for Black voters looking for more aggressive Democratic leadership that isn't afraid to fight for bold ideas that benefit the masses. Raising Georgia's minimum wage to $27 an hour over the course of three years, continuing conversations about a Georgia reparations program, and eliminating state income taxes on teachers, nurses, military veterans, and seniors are just a few of the policies Jackson proposed during a recent interview with Capital B Atlanta. The five-term state lawmaker said he won't shy away from fighting for proposals that directly benefit Black Georgians if he's elected. 'Will there be some things specifically for Black people? Yes, because you've got a lot of things specifically for white people,' Jackson said. 'When [the federal government passes] a tax cut for the top 1%, 99% of the top 1% are white. We don't have that many Black millionaires and billionaires.' Jackson, 59, is a Navy veteran and a married father of seven who characterized himself as the anti-establishment, progressive fighter in an increasingly crowded field of candidates vying to replace Brian Kemp in the governor's mansion in 2026. Name-checking rising Democratic stars like U.S. Reps. Jasmine Crockett and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez along with trailblazers like U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, Jackson cites the huge crowds Sanders and AOC received at anti-oligarchy rallies as evidence Democratic voters are looking for more progressive, populist candidates. He accused fellow Georgia Democratic leaders, including state Rep. Carolyn Hugley, D-Columbus, of being too moderate and trying to find common ground with Republicans in the Georgia General Assembly instead of outright opposing the GOP agenda. Hugley overcame Jackson and other Democrats late last year to replace James Beverly as state House Minority Leader. Jackson argues President Donald Trump's victory in Georgia and across the country made some Democrats question whether voters want them to moderate their positions or resist the controversial president's agenda, suggesting the uproar over federal employee layoffs in Georgia shows voters want the party to fight harder. 'I lost when I ran for minority leader because the caucus did not want a fighter as their minority leader,' Jackson said. 'They chose the status quo, and they regret that right now.' Earlier this year, Jackson sponsored a bill that would gradually raise Georgia's minimum wage to $27 an hour in 2028. The legislation, which failed to advance out of committee this year, would have raised the state's current $5.15 an hour minimum wage to $15 an hour this year, $18 an hour next year, and $21 an hour in 2027 before maxing out at $27 an hour in 2028. His plan to get progressive policies like this passed isn't to work with Republicans, who have majority control of the state House and state Senate. It's to defeat them at the ballot box during next year's midterm election cycle and give Democrats control of the state House. 'While I'm running for governor, I'm working to flip the [state] House,' Jackson said. 'I never believed in extending the olive branch to the Republican Party because it never worked. You've never heard a Republican say, 'I'm going to reach across the aisle,' so why am I going to extend my arm so you can chop it off?' Jackson also supports repealing Georgia's six-week abortion ban and the statewide ban on rent regulation that prevents setting limits on increases. He said he wants to make Georgia a top destination for working families, not just business owners, taking a shot at one of GOP Gov. Brian Kemp's primary talking points. 'Instead of us being the number one state for business, we're going to be the number one state for families,' Jackson said. 'If we do this right, eventually single citizens will say, 'Georgia is the best place to raise a family. Georgia is the best place in terms of affordability. Georgia is the best place for health care.'' 'The American Dream is fading for a lot of people,' Jackson continued. 'I know the governor has the responsibility to make sure that the state in which they govern is creating an environment that's conducive for everybody.' He's hoping his policy agenda will help the Democratic Party reenergize the Black voters who helped them turn the state blue in 2020, but haven't matched the same turnout rate since. 'They're disinterested because they see Democrats and Republicans as the same,' Jackson said of Black voters. 'They don't see nobody fighting for them. They don't see our interests being met. They see everyone else's interests being met and satisfied and accomplished, but we're still left behind.' Jackson joins a field of candidates that includes Attorney General Chris Carr, state Sen. Jason Esteves, D-Atlanta, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and former lead pastor and founder of Impact United Methodist Church Olu Brown. Other rumored candidates include Stacey Abrams, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, and former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. The post Progressive Candidate Bucks Establishment in Run For Governor appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Who's running for office? Georgia candidates announce 2026 bids
State Rep. Derrick Jackson, a Tyrone Democrat, has become the latest candidate to launch a bid for governor. The 2026 elections are more than a year away, but campaign announcement season in Georgia is in full swing, as candidates seek to secure a position under the Peach State's iconic Gold Dome. State Rep. Derrick Jackson, a Tyrone Democrat, has become the latest candidate to launch a bid for governor, unveiling a campaign Friday that highlighted his military service, business experience and focus on advocating for Georgia residents' civil rights. 'When I see something that's not right, that's not fair, that's unjust, I have a moral obligation as an elected official,' he said in an interview with the Georgia Recorder, citing a conversation he had with the late civil rights icon and long-time Georgia Congressman John Lewis that inspired him to run for governor. 'I realized we are in a political season right now where I need to do more.' He said he hopes to implement policies that would benefit working families in Georgia, including a $20 minimum wage and eliminating state taxes for teachers, nurses, military veterans and senior citizens. 'A lot of citizens are looking at this American dream, and they see it fading away because of some of the laws and policies that we put in place in Georgia,' he said. 'And so as governor, I would be in the pivotal place to stop some of these harmful pieces of legislation that are negatively impacting families in urban, suburban, rural and underserved areas in Georgia.' Jackson, a General Electric marketing executive, began his first term in the state House in 2017, but emphasized his 42 years of leadership experience throughout his time in the U.S. Navy, the Legislature and in his private sector work. He joins fellow legislator Sen. Jason Esteves of Atlanta and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on the Democratic ballot. On the Republican side, Attorney General Chris Carr is the only announced candidate, but with Gov. Brian Kemp term-limited from running again, there will likely be a long list of GOP primary candidates. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is widely expected to mount a run for governor. This also isn't Jackson's first bid for higher office. In 2022 he ran for lieutenant governor, but finished sixth in the Democratic primary. He returned to the State Legislature in 2023 after winning a special election to replace Rep. Tish Naghise, a Fayetteville Democrat who died during her first term. Most recently, he ran for House Minority Leader in 2024 but lost to Rep. Carolyn Hugley, a Columbus Democrat. The gubernatorial race isn't the only statewide contest that's getting competitive. Among the candidates who launched campaigns this week are state Sen. Brian Strickland, a McDonough Republican who is entering the race for attorney general, and President Pro Tem John F. Kennedy, a Macon Republican hoping to become Georgia's next lieutenant governor. Democratic state Rep. Jasmine Clark of Lilburn also launched a bid for Congress this week, vying to unseat incumbent Rep. David Scott to represent Georgia's 13th congressional district. Ahead of this year's Aug. 26 special election, candidates are vying for a chance to replace outgoing state Sen. Brandon Beach, an Alpharetta Republican who President Donald Trump appointed to serve as U.S. Treasurer earlier this year. A total of seven candidates — six Republicans and one Democrat — are hoping to fill his shoes. Farooq Mughal, the former Democratic state representative from Dacula, is seeking reelection after losing his seat in one of Georgia's narrowest state legislative races of the 2024 season. Mughal made history as the first Pakistani-American in the Legislature when he was elected in 2022. However, after the 2023 redistricting cycle drew more conservative voters into his district, he became the target of a governor-backed effort to flip some of the most competitive House districts red, losing to Republican challenger Sandy Donatucci in 2024 by only 80 votes. Now, he's hoping to return to the legislature with an agenda focused on supporting public schools, securing tax relief for families and addressing gun violence. 'It was the honor of my life to serve the people of District 105,' Mughal said in a statement announcing his candidacy. 'I'm running to return to the State House because there's still critical work to be done for Gwinnett families.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
State Rep. Derrick Jackson launching bid to be Georgia's next governor
The Brief State Rep. Derrick Jackson plans to launch his campaign to become the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in 2026. The metro Atlanta lawmaker and Navy veteran joins former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Atlanta state Sen. Jason Esteves and Atlanta pastor Olu Brown in the Democratic primary. Jackson says that he wants to expanded access to medical care and repeal the state's abortion law. ATLANTA - State Rep. Derrick Jackson is the latest Democrat to join the race to succeed Brian Kemp as Georgia's next governor. The metro Atlanta lawmaker plans to launch his campaign on Friday, joining three other Democrats in a race without a clear frontrunner after two high-profile candidates decided not to run. What they're saying Jackson, a former marketing executive with General Electric, was elected to the state House in 2016. Speaking to the Associated Press, the U.S. Navy veteran said he would "put Georgia families first," in part by expanding access to medical care and economic opportunities in rural areas. "My Republican friends love to tout Georgia as the number one state to do business, but I'm going to campaign on making Georgia the number one place to work, to play, to have a family and for young professionals to realize that regardless of which of the 159 counties they live in, there's going to be opportunity there," Jackson said. Inspired by civil rights icon John Lewis, Jackson said he has a "moral obligation" to run because he saw state and federal policies that were "not right, not fair, not just." He wants to help Georgians who could be impacted by President Donald Trump's sweeping bill that Jackson said "will devastate a lot of families" with provisions such as cuts to Medicaid funds. He said he plans to push for stricter gun regulations and to repeal Georgia's abortion law, which took effect in 2022 and effectively prohibited abortions beyond about six weeks of pregnancy. Dig deeper Jackson will join former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Atlanta state Sen. Jason Esteves and Atlanta pastor Olu Brown in the Democratic primary. They will compete for the Democratic nomination in the race to replace Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who was limited to two terms in office. Democrat Stacey Abrams, who ran and lost to Kemp in 2018 and 2022, has not closed the door on a third run. Jackson finished sixth in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor in 2022. After losing, he was reelected to the House in 2023 following the death of state Rep. Tish Naghise. He was defeated last year by Rep. Carolyn Hugley after running for House minority leader. Despite past losses, Jackson said his experience campaigning for statewide office will help him pull ahead of his competitors. U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, once the expected frontrunner known for her gun control advocacy, announced in March she wasn't running because she needed to focus on her husband's health after complications from cancer surgery. Former state Sen. Jason Carter, former President Jimmy Carter's moderate grandson and the Democrats' 2014 nominee for governor, said he would not run because his wife was diagnosed with cancer. On the Republican side, Attorney General Chris Carr is the only candidate who has declared so far. Other high-profile Republicans, including Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, could eventually announce plans to run. The Source Information for this story came from an interview with state Rep. Derrick Jackson by the Associated Press and previous FOX 5 reporting.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Georgia state Rep. Derrick Jackson to join 3 other Democrats in run for governor
ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) — Georgia state Rep. Derrick Jackson said Tuesday that he's running for governor next year, joining three other Democrats in a race without a clear frontrunner after two high-profile candidates decided not to run. The metro Atlanta Democrat said he will launch his campaign Friday, emphasizing his work in business and politics and his 22 years of military service. The U.S. Navy veteran was elected to the state House in 2016 and worked as a marketing executive with General Electric. As governor, Jackson said he would 'put Georgia families first," in part by expanding access to medical care and economic opportunities in rural areas. 'My Republican friends love to tout Georgia as the number one state to do business, but I'm going to campaign on making Georgia the number one place to work, to play, to have a family and for young professionals to realize that regardless of which of the 159 counties they live in, there's going to be opportunity there,' Jackson said in an interview with the Associated Press. He plans to push for stricter gun regulations and to repeal Georgia's abortion law, which took effect in 2022 and effectively prohibited abortions beyond about six weeks of pregnancy. Jackson will join former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Atlanta state Sen. Jason Esteves and Atlanta pastor Olu Brown in the Democratic primary. They will compete for the Democratic nomination in the race to replace the state's popular term-limited Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. Democrat Stacey Abrams, who ran and lost to Kemp in 2018 and 2022, has not closed the door on a third run. Jackson finished sixth in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor in 2022. After losing, he was reelected to the House in 2023 following the death of state Rep. Tish Naghise. He was defeated last year by Rep. Carolyn Hugley after running for House minority leader. Despite past losses, Jackson said his experience campaigning for statewide office will help him pull ahead of his competitors. Inspired by civil rights icon John Lewis, Jackson said he has a 'moral obligation' to run because he saw state and federal policies that were 'not right, not fair, not just.' He wants to help Georgians who could be impacted by President Donald Trump's sweeping bill that Jackson said 'will devastate a lot of families' with provisions such as cuts to Medicaid funds. U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, once the expected frontrunner known for her gun control advocacy, announced in March she wasn't running because she needed to focus on her husband's health after complications from cancer surgery. Former state Sen. Jason Carter, former President Jimmy Carter's moderate grandson and the Democrats' 2014 nominee for governor, said he would not run because his wife was diagnosed with cancer. ___ Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon.
Toronto Star
03-06-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Georgia state Rep. Derrick Jackson to join 3 other Democrats in run for governor
ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) — Georgia state Rep. Derrick Jackson said Tuesday that he's running for governor next year, joining three other Democrats in a race without a clear frontrunner after two high-profile candidates decided not to run. The metro Atlanta Democrat said he will launch his campaign Friday, emphasizing his work in business and politics and his 22 years of military service. The U.S. Navy veteran was elected to the state House in 2016 and worked as a marketing executive with General Electric. As governor, Jackson said he would 'put Georgia families first,' in part by expanding access to medical care and economic opportunities in rural areas. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'My Republican friends love to tout Georgia as the number one state to do business, but I'm going to campaign on making Georgia the number one place to work, to play, to have a family and for young professionals to realize that regardless of which of the 159 counties they live in, there's going to be opportunity there,' Jackson said in an interview with the Associated Press. He plans to push for stricter gun regulations and to repeal Georgia's abortion law, which took effect in 2022 and effectively prohibited abortions beyond about six weeks of pregnancy. Jackson will join former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Atlanta state Sen. Jason Esteves and Atlanta pastor Olu Brown in the Democratic primary. They will compete for the Democratic nomination in the race to replace the state's popular term-limited Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. Democrat Stacey Abrams, who ran and lost to Kemp in 2018 and 2022, has not closed the door on a third run. Jackson finished sixth in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor in 2022. After losing, he was reelected to the House in 2023 following the death of state Rep. Tish Naghise. He was defeated last year by Rep. Carolyn Hugley after running for House minority leader. Despite past losses, Jackson said his experience campaigning for statewide office will help him pull ahead of his competitors. Inspired by civil rights icon John Lewis, Jackson said he has a 'moral obligation' to run because he saw state and federal policies that were 'not right, not fair, not just.' He wants to help Georgians who could be impacted by President Donald Trump's sweeping bill that Jackson said 'will devastate a lot of families' with provisions such as cuts to Medicaid funds. U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, once the expected frontrunner known for her gun control advocacy, announced in March she wasn't running because she needed to focus on her husband's health after complications from cancer surgery. Former state Sen. Jason Carter, former President Jimmy Carter's moderate grandson and the Democrats' 2014 nominee for governor, said he would not run because his wife was diagnosed with cancer. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ___ Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon. Read more on the U.S. Election at
