Rick Jackson’s Governorship Bid Faces Scrutiny Over Lobbying History
Billionaire and CEO Rick Jackson has entered the race for Georgia governor, touting his status as a political outsider. However, his past interactions with lobbyists have drawn attention, potentially complicating this image.
The founder of Jackson Healthcare, Jackson launched his campaign in February and secured the Republican nomination by June. He often highlights his business achievements as a testament to his capability for public service. In February, during an interview on the Shelley Wynter Show, Jackson claimed he never sought legislative favors for his company. He reiterated this point to the Republican Jewish Commission shortly after.
Contrary to these assertions, records from the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission reveal that Jackson Healthcare employed at least seven lobbyists between 2015 and 2026 to advocate for the company’s interests at various governmental levels.
Notably, one of these lobbyists was Blake Fulenwider, former deputy commissioner at the Department of Community Health (DCH). Fulenwider’s efforts in 2022 coincided with the renewal of a contract for Healthcare Workforce Logistics, a subsidiary of Jackson Healthcare, initially awarded through a no-bid process in 2020.
Beyond state lobbying, Jackson Healthcare and its subsidiaries invested almost $2 million in federal lobbying between 2014 and 2026. These lobbyists interacted with the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, and the White House on the company’s behalf.
The Wall Street Journal reported that USAntibotics, a Jackson Healthcare subsidiary, faced significant challenges in 2025, prompting a substantial lobbying effort. The company spent $360,000 lobbying the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and subsequently secured a $30 million contract to produce a common antibiotic.
Additionally, Avant Health Professionals, another subsidiary, allocated $360,000 for lobbying Congress on issues including COVID-19 relief legislation from 2020 to 2022, which may have provided access to public funds.
Jackson’s business practices have been scrutinized before. A report by The Daily Beast highlighted past settlements involving allegations of unpaid wages and the exploitation of foreign nurses.
Jackson’s main rival in the gubernatorial race is former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. According to an InsiderAdvantage poll conducted in August, the race is currently neck and neck.
The original article appeared on American Journal News.
