Gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson made a stop in Statesboro Wednesday with Election Day less than one week away and early voting ending Friday.

The visit was part of meet-and-greet events hosted by the Republican nominee in Bulloch and Bryan counties before ending in Thunderbolt at Coach’s Corner Sports Bar.

Speaking inside the Bishop Field House adjacent to Paulson Stadium, Jackson spoke about his upbringing in foster care, which has become a central focus of his campaign and impetus for running for office, particularly in regards to supporting children and boosting the literacy rate in Georgia's K-12 schools.

Jackson, the billionaire founder and CEO of Jackson Healthcare, a healthcare staffing company based in Atlanta, promised to eliminate the state income tax and prevent property tax increases tied to rising home values.

"Your property taxes will never go up again because of the valuation increase of your house," Jackson said.

Other Republican notables took the stage in support of Jackson, including Congressmen Rick Allen and Buddy Carter, encouraging those in attendance to vote.

All three men made pointed remarks toward Jackson’s Democratic rival Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022, claiming that the city suffered under her leadership.

Jackson urged voters to head to the polls. More than 2 million Georgians have cast their ballots in early voting and more than 3.5 million votes were tallied in the 2022 general election.

“If rural Georgia doesn’t show up, we will lose,” Jackson said.