Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson has opened an initial $87 million statewide advertising buy attacking Democratic rival Keisha Lance Bottoms’ spending during her term as Atlanta mayor.
The first ad, titled “Legacy,” appeared online July 31 before the broadcast and digital campaign began Aug. 1, the Daily Signal reported. The spot calls Bottoms “greedy” and highlights city-funded airfare for her husband to attend the 2018 Super Bowl and more than $11,000 spent on a luxury car service.
A 2018 Atlanta Journal-Constitution and WSB-TV investigation found a city credit card was used to purchase a $2,610 first-class ticket for Derek Bottoms, who was not a city employee. Bottoms reimbursed Atlanta $1,434.42 after the trip. Her office said she believed a personal card had been used and disputed part of the charge because the couple returned in coach.
The same outlets found Bottoms booked 27 rides with Carey Executive Limousine during her first five months in office, costing taxpayers $11,651. City officials defended the service as vetted for safety and reliability. A later AJC review said Bottoms stopped charging car rides after May 2018 and used her city credit card less aggressively than predecessor Kasim Reed.
Bottoms’ campaign accused Jackson of lying and countered that Jackson Healthcare subsidiaries received more than $1 billion from Georgia agencies, including through a no-bid pandemic staffing contract. Jackson has pledged his company would pursue no new state contracts and unwind existing ones if elected.
Jackson spent more than $100 million of his own money to win the Republican nomination. Atlanta News First analyst Ben Taylor said the new buy may be the largest in Georgia state election history, ensuring the fight over Bottoms’ mayoral record and Jackson’s business dealings will dominate the campaign.
