Lieutenant Governor
The lieutenant governor acts as the president of the senate and is the second highest elected official in the state. The responsibilities of the role include presiding over senate debates, overseeing the legislative budget, casting tie-breaking votes, and appointing committee members.
Charlie Bailey
Democrat
Burt Jones
Republican
Ryan Graham
Libertarian
On the issues
Priorities
What priorities or key issues will you address if elected to this office?
Charlie Bailey, Democrat
The Charlie Bailey campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. The response is taken verbatim from the campaign website:
I will fight to expand access to quality affordable healthcare and lower prescription drug prices. I will fight to increase teacher pay, fully fund our public schools, and invest in technical colleges. I will fight for public safety to ensure the well-being of Georgia families. I will fight to ensure that every Georgian can expect to leave a better life with more opportunities for their kids than they had.
Burt Jones, Republican
The Burt Jones campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. The response is taken verbatim from the campaign website:
Creating more high-quality jobs by reducing burdensome regulations, eliminating the state income tax, prioritizing vocational and technical training, and empowering small businesses across our state to succeed.
Creating safer communities by cracking down on violent crime, supporting local and state law enforcement officers, and increasing funding and resources for first responders.
Restoring voter confidence by securing our elections, increasing transparency and accountability, and investigating any and all instances of voter fraud.
Creating a world class K-12 and Higher Education System in Georgia by investing in teachers and students, prioritizing school choice, vocational and technical education, and lowering the cost of post-secondary degrees.
Enforcing a legal immigration system that puts the lives and livelihoods of hardworking Georgians first and foremost.
Ryan Graham, Libertarian
The Ryan Graham campaign has not yet responded to our questionnaire. The response is taken verbatim from the campaign website:
Ryan is a proponent of getting the government out of the way and letting individuals create solutions to the problems of today.
Educational Freedom: It’s time to empower educators and parents to provide innovative solutions for our children to learn.
Criminal Justice: Everyone seems to agree we that we have a flawed criminal “justice” system, but nothing ever seems to get done about it.
Election Reform: Voters deserve secure and transparent elections. Access to the ballot should be unencumbered for candidates and voters.
Experience
What key experiences would you bring to this role?
Charlie Bailey, Democrat
The Charlie Bailey campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. The response is taken verbatim from the campaign website:
As an 8th generation rural Georgian and UGA Graduate, I know that too many in our state are working hard but struggling to get by. As a lawyer and former Senior Assistant District Attorney, I have spent my career getting justice for Georgians. As your next Lt. Governor, I will take that fight to the State Capitol.
Burt Jones, Republican
The Burt Jones campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. The response is taken verbatim from the campaign website:
Burt Jones is a lifelong conservative who has a proven record of creating jobs, growing a successful business, and fighting for Georgia values. A sixth-generation Jackson native, Burt works with his family’s business, Jones Petroleum, where he has served as an integral part of growing the diverse, multi-faceted company, employing nearly 2,000 Georgians. Burt also founded JP Capital & Insurance, Inc., a risk-management company specializing in retail insurance brokerage. Through hard work and dedication, Burt built this start-up agency into an established insurance brokerage house founded on professionalism and client service.
Answering a call to service, Burt was elected to the State Senate for Georgia’s 25th District in 2012. Over his time in office, Burt has been instrumental in the district’s economic development by attracting new businesses and creating thousands of jobs and opportunities for Middle Georgia. Importantly, Burt led the fight to restore confidence and accountability to our elections process after the disastrous 2020 cycle. In fact, Burt played an integral role in the passage of the Election Integrity Act (S.B. 202) and has been recognized nationally as a leader for election integrity, including by President Donald J. Trump. He was also asked by the Trump Administration to join the Foreign and Domestic Trade Council.
Before his business career, Burt was a student-athlete and a four-year letterman for the University of Georgia football team. As a former walk-on, Senator Jones was elected permanent team captain for the 2002 season, helping to steer the team to its first SEC Championship in 20 years. In 2014, UGA named Burt a Distinguished Alumni and named him to its “40 Under 40” list.
Burt lives with his wife, Jan, and their two children, Stella and Banks, in Butts County, Burt and his family are active members of Rock Springs Church in Milner.
Ryan Graham, Libertarian
The Ryan Graham campaign has not yet responded to our questionnaire. The response is taken verbatim from the campaign website:
Ryan lives in Atlanta with his partner, Laura, and their daughter, Elizabeth. He works as a Project Manager in software development. He has a passion for empowering individuals to overcome the issues of the day without one-size-fits-all solutions from politicians.
Economic Recession
Economists predict that the US is nearing a recession. What policies would propose to help Georgians weather an economic downturn?
Charlie Bailey, Democrat
The Charlie Bailey campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. No information was found on the campaign website related to this question.
Burt Jones Republican
The Burt Jones campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. The response is taken verbatim from the campaign website:
Creating more high-quality jobs by reducing burdensome regulations, eliminating the state income tax, prioritizing vocational and technical training, and empowering small businesses across our state to succeed.
Reduce permitting and licensing process to get small businesses and entrepreneurs up and running more quickly
Cut state income tax and put more money back into the pockets of hardworking Georgians
Boost funding and grants for vocational & technical education so our students of today are equipped for the jobs of tomorrow
Cut fees and burdensome regulations so that small businesses can grow and create more jobs for future generations
Ryan Graham, Libertarian
The Ryan Graham campaign has not yet responded to our questionnaire. No information was found on the campaign website related to this question.
Electoral Reform and Voting Rights
Do you support the enactment of Georgia’s Election Integrity Act of 2021 (S.B. 202)? Why or why not? What other policies related to voting would you support?
Charlie Bailey, Democrat
The Charlie Bailey campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. No information was found on the campaign website related to this question.
Burt Jones Republican
The Burt Jones campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. The response is taken verbatim from the campaign website:
Restoring voter confidence by securing our elections, increasing transparency and accountability, and investigating any and all instances of voter fraud.
Ensure SB202 is fully implemented and being enforced in every county across the state
Increased resources for Georgia Bureau of Investigation to investigate and act on potential voter fraud in real time
Give more flexibility and control to local elections officials to administer elections to ensure transparency, accountability, efficiency and accuracy
Ryan Graham, Libertarian
The Ryan Graham campaign has not yet responded to our questionnaire. No information was found on the campaign website related to this question.
Immigration and Immigration Detention
An estimated 10% of people living in Georgia are immigrants. Our state also hosts several migrant detention centers, with the Folkston center expected to be one of the largest in the nation after the Biden administration approved its expansion earlier this year. What is your stance on immigration, and how do you foresee working with the Federal government on issues related to immigration?
Charlie Bailey, Democrat
The Charlie Bailey campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. No information was found on the campaign website related to this question.
Burt Jones Republican
The Burt Jones campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. The response is taken verbatim from the campaign website:
Enforcing a legal immigration system that puts the lives and livelihoods of hardworking Georgians first and foremost.
Help secure the Southern Border by pushing for completion of the wall to prevent the flow of illegal immigration into our country
Support coordination between state and federal law enforcement agencies to apprehend drug and sex traffickers who are in our state illegally
Ryan Graham, Libertarian
The Ryan Graham campaign has not yet responded to our questionnaire. No information was found on the campaign website related to this question.
Policing and Public Safety
Do you believe there is a problem that exists and needs to be addressed regarding policing? What steps can the Governor’s office take to improve public safety and address concerns about policing in a way that supports trust, safety, and community?
Charlie Bailey, Democrat
The Charlie Bailey campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. No information was found on the campaign website related to this question.
Burt Jones Republican
The Burt Jones campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. The response is taken verbatim from the campaign website:
Creating safer communities by cracking down on violent crime, supporting local and state law enforcement officers, and increasing funding and resources for first responders.
Increase funding for local law enforcement officers to that they have the tools and resources they need to protect Georgia communities
Enhance retirement benefits for law enforcement to both grow and retain a stable workforce of first responders
Strengthen penalties for sex traffickers, gang members and repeat offenders
Ryan Graham, Libertarian
The Ryan Graham campaign has not yet responded to our questionnaire. No information was found on the campaign website related to this question.
No campaign for this race responded to our questionnaire, and we could not find responses to all of our questions on the candidates' websites. These are the additional questions we believe any candidate seeking this role should have responses to:
The cost of living has exploded across the country. Georgia has seen record-breaking increases in housing costs and rent in 2022. What measures do you support to improve housing affordability?
What should be done in our state to protect the public from gun violence in the wake of the Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, NY mass shootings?
An estimated 1.4 million Georgians do not have health insurance, making our uninsured rate the third highest in the country. Do you believe the government has a role in addressing this coverage gap? If so, what policies do you support?
What is your position on abortion? Do you support Georgia’s 2019 law, H.B. 481, which prohibits abortion after 6 weeks? What other policies related to abortion do you support?
Note: We welcome any responses from candidates who did not previously answer our questionnaire request.
