Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson is taking direct aim at Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in a new campaign ad that labels the state's top elections official "Judas," escalating intraparty tensions ahead of the next election cycle.
The spot opens with a young man confronting his mother, asking, "Why did you name me Brad?"
The mother responds that she chose the name after Raffensperger and adds that her second choice was "Judas." The ad ends with bold on-screen text reading: "Brad 'Judas' Raffensperger."
The "Judas" reference is a loaded biblical accusation, traditionally associated with betrayal, and it reflects the lingering anger among many conservatives over Georgia's handling of the 2020 election and its aftermath.
Raffensperger, who became a national figure during the post-election dispute between President Donald Trump and Georgia officials, has long been a target of criticism from the party's grassroots and pro-Trump activists.
While Raffensperger has defended his actions as lawful and necessary to protect election integrity, challengers and critics have continued to argue he failed Republicans when it mattered most.
Jackson's campaign appears to be leaning into that frustration, using humor and shock value to deliver a hard-edged political attack in a format designed for social media sharing.
The mother-son exchange plays like a dark joke, but the punch line is political: Raffensperger is cast as the punch line — and the villain.
The ad is the latest example of how Republican primaries are increasingly fought not only over policy differences but over loyalty tests tied to 2020 and the broader battle over election confidence.
Candidates seeking to energize the base have often used aggressive rhetoric toward party officials seen as insufficiently aligned with Trump-era priorities.
It remains unclear whether Raffensperger or his campaign will respond directly to Jackson's ad, though the Georgia secretary of state has previously pushed back against similar attacks, arguing that political pressure should not override the rule of law.
Jackson's strategy may help him gain attention in a crowded political landscape, but it also risks inflaming divisions within the GOP — a dynamic that could complicate party unity in a state that has become one of the nation's most closely watched battlegrounds.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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