If you’ve been paying any attention to the gold-domed Capitol in Atlanta lately, you know things are getting spicy. People keep asking, "Wait, who is the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia exactly?" and honestly, the answer matters more now than it usually does.
His name is Burt Jones.
He’s a Republican, a former state senator, and a guy who played football for the University of Georgia back in the day. He’s been in the seat since early 2023, but if you look at the headlines from this week—January 2026—you’ll see he’s basically already looking at a different office. He’s running for Governor. Because of that, the whole dynamic of Georgia politics is shifting right under our feet.
The Man in the Chair: Who is Burt Jones?
Burt Jones isn't just a career politician. Before he was presiding over the state Senate, he was (and still is) a businessman. He’s a sixth-generation native of Jackson, Georgia. You might recognize the name from Jones Petroleum, the family business where he worked for years. He also started an insurance firm called JP Capital & Insurance.
Basically, he’s got that "businessman-turned-politician" energy that resonates with a lot of folks in the Peach State.
But let’s talk football for a second because, in Georgia, that’s basically a religion. Jones was a walk-on for the UGA Bulldogs. He didn't just play; he ended up being elected a permanent team captain for the 2002 season. That year, they won their first SEC Championship in two decades. That "captain" brand is something he leans into heavily. It’s a shorthand for leadership that voters understand without needing a long policy white paper.
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What Does Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor Actually Do?
People often think the Lieutenant Governor is just a "Governor-in-waiting." Sorta like a Vice President. But in Georgia, the job is actually pretty unique.
Unlike some states where the Governor and Lieutenant Governor run on the same ticket (like a President and VP), Georgia does things differently. They are elected separately. This means you could technically have a Governor from one party and a Lieutenant Governor from another. It makes for some awkward holiday parties, I’m sure.
The Power of the Gavel
The Lieutenant Governor’s main gig is serving as the President of the Senate.
- Presiding over debates: He’s the one at the front of the room holding the gavel.
- Tie-breaking: If the Senate is split 50/50, he’s the one who breaks the tie.
- Committee Power: He has a massive say in which senators sit on which committees.
If you want a bill to pass in Georgia, you kinda need the Lieutenant Governor on your side. He can’t technically "sponsor" a bill himself because he’s not a member of the Senate—he’s an executive officer—but he’s the ultimate traffic cop for legislation.
The 2026 Shakeup: Why the Seat is Already Up for Grabs
Here is where it gets interesting. Even though Burt Jones is the guy in the seat right now, he won't be for much longer.
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Back in July 2025, Jones officially announced he’s running for Governor in 2026. Governor Brian Kemp is term-limited, so the top spot is wide open. Because Jones is vacating his current role to chase the big chair, the race for who will become the next Lieutenant Governor of Georgia is already getting crowded.
Just this week, we saw Seth Clark, a former Macon commissioner, jump into the Democratic primary. He’s joining State Senator Josh McLaurin. On the Republican side, it’s a total house-on-fire situation. We’ve got Senate President Pro Tem John F. Kennedy, Majority Leader Steve Gooch, and State Senator Greg Dolezal all eyeing the job.
Current Legislative Friction
Right now, in mid-January 2026, Jones is using his platform to push some pretty specific stuff. He’s been locking horns with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (who is also running for Governor, by the way) over 2020 election data and Department of Justice requests.
It’s a bit of a proxy war. You have the Lieutenant Governor and the Secretary of State—both Republicans—sparring in the press while the legislative session is in full swing. This is why knowing who is the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia is so relevant today; the person in that office has the power to stall or speed up investigations that could impact the entire 2026 election cycle.
A Look at the Controversies
You can't talk about Burt Jones without mentioning the "fake electors" situation from 2020. Jones was one of the Republicans who signed on to be an alternate elector for Donald Trump. This led to a lot of legal drama and he was even named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Fulton County case.
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However, a judge eventually barred District Attorney Fani Willis from investigating him due to a conflict of interest (since she hosted a fundraiser for his political opponent). Just recently, a special prosecutor was tasked with looking into it, but Jones has stayed focused on his "Georgia First" agenda, pushing for things like:
- Eliminating the state income tax.
- Cracking down on gang violence.
- Increasing funding for school security.
Whether you like him or not, he’s been incredibly effective at staying in the conversation.
What’s Next for You as a Georgian?
If you live in Georgia, the next few months are going to be a whirlwind of political ads. Since the Lieutenant Governor isn't just a figurehead, who you vote for in the May 19, 2026 primary matters immensely.
The person who replaces Burt Jones will decide which laws even get a hearing in the Senate. Want more school funding? Want different tax structures? The Lieutenant Governor is the gatekeeper.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your registration: The deadline to register for the 2026 primaries is April 20, 2026. Don't let it sneak up on you.
- Watch the Senate Live: You can actually watch the Georgia Senate sessions online at the official state website. It’s the best way to see Burt Jones (and his potential successors) in action with the gavel.
- Follow the money: Keep an eye on the "leadership committees." A recent court ruling allows the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to raise unlimited funds, which is going to make this 2026 race the most expensive one in Georgia history.
Knowing who is the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia is more than just a trivia answer—it’s a window into how the state is being run right now and where it’s headed in the very near future.