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A Republican candidate for Georgia governor has pledged to double the state's support for President Donald Trump's new investment program for children, promising an additional $1,000 contribution to "Trump Accounts" if he wins office—and saying he will personally cover the cost if lawmakers refuse.
Rick Jackson made the commitment during a rally with Trump in Marietta, Georgia, where the president promoted the new federally backed savings accounts while campaigning for Republican candidates. The visit comes as Georgia remains one of the country's most politically competitive states, with Senate and gubernatorial contests expected to draw national attention as the November elections approach.
Newsweek has contacted Jackson's campaign team via the contact form on his website for comment.
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Jackson Promises State Match for Trump Accounts
Speaking at Wheeler High School in Marietta, Jackson told supporters that he would seek to match the federal government's initial contribution to each eligible child's Trump Account in the Peach State.
"When I become governor, I'm going to push the state of Georgia to match the federal contribution with another $1,000. And I believe our legislature will approve that. If they don't, I will personally donate it myself."
Jackson also tied the pledge to his own childhood, saying a small act of generosity helped shape his future.
"More than 50 years ago an anonymous stranger put $100 under the door of a lonely boy," he said. "That stranger could not have imagined where my life would lead because of that. But that gift helped me believe that life could lead to somewhere. Today, because of President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, we can place the same kind of hope into the lives of children in Georgia."
Meanwhile, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms criticized Jackson's appearance alongside Trump, arguing that his campaign is closely tied to the president at a time when many Georgians remain concerned about the economy and cost of living. Bottoms said the election should focus on state issues rather than advancing Trump's political agenda.
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Jackson is the founder of medical staffing company Jackson Healthcare. According to Forbes, his net worth is around $1 billion.
Jackson's father left the family when he was nine months old. His mother, who had a sixth-grade education and worked as a cocktail waitress, struggled with alcoholism.
He grew up in Techwood Homes, a public housing project near the Georgia Tech campus, where he earned money selling newspapers, peanuts and football tickets.
Jackson began building and acquiring healthcare companies during the 1970s before combining them into Jackson Healthcare in 2000. The company now consists of 22 healthcare staffing businesses that generate about $3 billion in annual revenue.
Trump traveled to Georgia on Wednesday to promote the new investment accounts and campaign for Republican Representative Mike Collins, who is running for the U.S. Senate, as well as Jackson in his bid for governor.
Outside Wheeler High School, protesters gathered during the rally, criticizing Trump's visit and opposing the administration's policies. The demonstrations underscored the sharply divided political environment in Georgia ahead of November's elections.
What Are Trump Accounts?
The administration launched Trump Accounts on July 4 as a tax-advantaged investment program for children under 18.
Under the initiative, every child born in the U.S. between 2025 and 2028 will receive a one-time $1,000 contribution from the federal government. Parents, relatives, friends and employers can then contribute up to $5,000 each year.
The accounts will be managed by a parent or guardian until the child turns 18. At that point, the account holder assumes control and can use the money for purposes including higher education, buying a home or starting a business.
According to White House projections, an account receiving no additional annual contributions would grow to about $6,000 by age 18. Contributing $250 each year would increase the projected balance to around $19,000, while contributing the maximum $5,000 annually would grow the account to an estimated $271,000.
At the Marietta rally, Trump described the accounts as a way to give young Americans a financial foundation.
"For decades, Washington politicians gave our children absolutely nothing but debt," Trump said. "But the Trump accounts, we’re finally seeing and ensuring that every young American gets a great start in life and a really fair shot at the American dream, which is what we all want. They all aspire to that."
Other administration officials also promoted the initiative during the event. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called the program the "triumph of capitalism over socialism."
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the initiative would help expand opportunities for young Americans.
"For too long, many have felt the American dream is slipping into the past—not anymore," McMahon said. "Under President Trump's leadership, we are opening every possible pathway to pursue that dream again."
Cost of Trump Accounts
According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the federal government's initial $1,000 contributions are projected to cost $17 billion through 2028.
Would Georgia Match the Federal Contribution?
Jackson's proposed $1,000 state contribution would require approval from the Georgia General Assembly before it could be implemented. While Republicans currently control both legislative chambers, lawmakers would still need to authorize funding through the state budget, and the proposal could face scrutiny over its cost and competing spending priorities.
Jackson has also said he believes the legislature would support the plan, but no formal legislation has been introduced and legislative leaders have not publicly outlined whether they would back the proposal. If elected, he would need to work with lawmakers to draft and pass the measure before any state matching funds could be distributed.
The overall cost would depend on the number of eligible children born in Georgia while the program is in effect, meaning the proposal could require hundreds of millions of dollars in state spending over several years.
Jackson has not yet said how he would finance the initiative or whether it would require cuts elsewhere in the state budget.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Daniel Orton and Cristina Diciu.
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