New reporting from American Journal News reveals that Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson’s campaign paid more than $41 million to Smart Media Group, a politically connected GOP advertising firm entangled in the no-bid DHS contracting scandal that led to former Secretary Kristi Noem’s firing.
Under Noem, DHS awarded a $143 million no-bid contract to Safe America Media just seven days after the company was incorporated. The company was registered to a Republican operative’s home and reportedly had no office or website. Safe America Media then subcontracted Smart Media to place television ads for DHS’ controversial $220 million campaign.
Campaign finance reports show that Jackson paid Smart Media more than $41.3 million between February and April 2026 — months after the firm’s involvement in the scandal had been exposed and claims of waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars had intensified.
“Rick Jackson’s outsider act falls apart the minute you follow the money,” said American Bridge spokesperson Tiffiany Vaughn. “After this scandal was already public, Jackson’s campaign entrusted more than $41 million to one of the firms caught up in it. If that’s Jackson’s idea of cleaning up government, Georgians should be deeply concerned about whose interests his administration would serve.”
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Published: Jul 17, 2026