Rick Jackson’s late entry into the race and record self-funding have positioned him as the narrow leader in trader consensus for the May 19 Republican primary, with polls showing him ahead of or tied with Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones amid heavy negative advertising from both sides. Jackson, a healthcare executive, has spent more than $80 million of his own money on ads that have boosted his name recognition with conservative voters, eroding Jones’s earlier advantage despite the latter’s Trump endorsement and state Senate leadership experience. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Attorney General Chris Carr trail significantly in recent surveys, limiting their paths to a runoff or outright victory. Early voting is already underway, with roughly 25-30 percent of likely Republican voters still undecided, leaving room for last-minute shifts before primary ballots close.