Rick Jackson’s Lobbying History Challenges Outsider Claim in GA Race

Georgia Gubernatorial Candidate’s Lobbying Ties Raise Questions

Rick Jackson, a billionaire and political newcomer, is making a run for governor of Georgia. Despite promoting himself as an outsider, Jackson’s connections with D.C. lobbyists may complicate his narrative.

As the founder and CEO of Jackson Healthcare, based in Alpharetta, GA, Jackson entered the gubernatorial race in February. By June, he had secured the Republican nomination.

Jackson often highlights his business acumen as a key qualification for the role of governor. During an interview on the Shelley Wynter Show in February, he stated he never sought financial advantages from legislators for his company. He echoed this sentiment during a speech to the Republican Jewish Coalition in March.

However, records from the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission reveal a different picture. Between 2015 and 2026, Jackson Healthcare hired at least seven lobbyists to advocate for the company’s interests in both state and local governments.

Among these lobbyists was Blake Fulenwider, a former deputy commissioner at Georgia’s Department of Community Health (DCH). Fulenwider represented Jackson Healthcare in 2022 when its subsidiary Healthcare Workforce Logistics had a contract renewed with DCH. This contract was originally awarded in 2020 through a no-bid process.

Congressional disclosures show Jackson Healthcare and its affiliated companies spent nearly $2 million on federal lobbying from 2014 to 2026. These efforts were directed at influencing the U.S. Senate, the House of Representatives, and the White House.

USAntibotics, a Jackson Healthcare subsidiary producing generic drugs, launched a significant lobbying campaign in 2025. The Wall Street Journal reported that the subsidiary was in financial distress, facing either bankruptcy or the need for a government contract.

The company invested $360,000 in lobbying efforts directed at the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). By June 2026, HHS awarded USAntibotics a $30 million contract to manufacture amoxicillin trihydrate, a common antibiotic.

Between 2020 and 2022, another subsidiary, Avant Health Professionals, spent $360,000 lobbying Congress. Their focus included COVID-19 relief funding legislation, which could potentially provide them access to public funds.

Rick Jackson’s business methods have faced scrutiny previously. The Daily Beast reported allegations involving the exploitation of foreign-born nurses and unpaid wages, leading to costly settlements by Jackson Healthcare.

In the race for governor, Jackson faces Democratic contender and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. According to an InsiderAdvantage poll released in August, the election appears to be tightly contested.