Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson suggested that Gov. Brian Kemp would deploy the Georgia National Guard to “watch” November’s election after a supporter warned him that Democrats would “cheat,” according to newly uncovered audio first reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
When the supporter asked whether Donald Trump could send federal troops, Jackson responded: “Well, we’ll get National Guard — Gov. Kemp is going to watch it for us.” Jackson then added, “Yes, he’s going to get the National Guard.”
Jackson’s campaign told the AJC that he never “suggested deploying troops at polling places.” Kemp’s office declined to comment — leaving unanswered whether Jackson and Kemp discussed the Guard, what role Jackson expects troops to play, and whether Kemp will rule out deploying Guard members at or near polling locations.
“Rick Jackson did not reject a baseless cheating conspiracy — he fueled it by invoking the National Guard and claiming Brian Kemp would watch the election ‘for us,’” said American Bridge 21st Century spokesperson Tiffiany Vaughn. “Now Jackson’s campaign is denying the plain implication of his words, and Kemp hasn’t explained whether any such conversation occurred. Georgians deserve to know why a candidate is talking about using state military power to monitor the election he is trying to win.”
Jackson’s comments fit a documented pattern. He has called the 2020 election “totally ridiculous” and “terrible,” accused Fulton County of “cheating on voting” for decades and attacked Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, referring to him as “Judas” for not overturning the 2020 election.
Trump has repeatedly pushed Republicans to take control of election administration and has left open the possibility of using troops or federal agents around elections.
American Bridge 21st Century is calling on Rick Jackson and Brian Kemp to answer the following questions:
- Did Jackson and Kemp discuss deploying the Georgia National Guard during the November election?
- What did Jackson mean by saying Kemp would “watch it for us”?
- Will both men rule out deploying Guard members at or near polling places?
- Were Georgia election officials or Guard leadership consulted?
Listen to the full audio here.
For more information on Rick Jackson, visit research-books.com
Published: Aug 25, 2026