Trump Endorses State Senator Greg Dolezal for Georgia Lieutenant Governor

Trump backs Republican state senator Greg Dolezal in the 2026 race for Georgia lieutenant governor, tying his campaign to gubernatorial hopeful Rick Jackson.

First Published: July 23, 2026, 3:35 PM ET

WASHINGTON D.C. — Donald J. Trump endorsed Greg Dolezal, a Republican Georgia state senator, for lieutenant governor, adding another statewide contest to his growing list of 2026 backings.

Trump tied the endorsement to Rick Jackson, whom he described as the state’s next governor, framing the two Republicans as a governing pair for the November ballot. Dolezal, who represents the 27th district, will face Democrat Josh McLaurin in the general election, according to wikipedia.org.

“Greg Dolezal has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Lieutenant Governor of Georgia — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” Trump said in the post.

The endorsement signals Trump’s intent to shape down-ballot races in a battleground state that decided the 2020 presidential contest by fewer than 12,000 votes, and where control of the state Senate flows through the lieutenant governor’s office.

Here is the full post on Truth Social: “Greg Dolezal is a MAGA Warrior running for Lieutenant Governor to represent the Fantastic People of Georgia. He is strongly supported by my good friend, and the Peach State’s next Governor, Rick Jackson! A Highly Respected State Senator, Greg has dedicated his life to serving his Community. As your next Lieutenant Governor, Greg will work hard to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Support our Amazing Farmers and Ranchers, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Advance Election Integrity, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our Military, Veterans, and Law Enforcement, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment. He will work brilliantly with Rick Jackson, and do great things, never seen before in Georgia! Greg Dolezal has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Lieutenant Governor of Georgia — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” on July 23, 2026 at 7:23 PM ET.

This is the first message released by Trump today. On average, Trump produces about 15 posts per day since his inauguration on January 20, 2025.

The move fits a broader pattern in Trump’s recent messaging, with 87 of his 468 posts over the last 30 days focused on elections.

Dolezal, born in Joliet, Illinois, has held his Senate seat since January 14, 2019, and belongs to the Georgia Freedom Caucus, according to wikipedia.org. He first won the district in 2018 with more than 72% of the vote against Democrat Steve Smith, and held the seat in 2020 with 70% against Brooke Griffiths, according to wikipedia.org. He is a founder and partner at Renewed Vision, a Forsyth County technology company whose production software is used by the International Olympic Committee and Chick-fil-A, according to wikipedia.org.

The stakes reach beyond one campaign. In Georgia, the lieutenant governor presides over the state Senate and shapes which bills advance, giving the winner leverage over tax, energy, and election policy. A Republican sweep of the top two offices would consolidate control in a state Republicans nearly lost at the presidential level, while a Democratic upset would split the executive branch.

For the average Georgia voter, the outcome touches classroom funding, road projects, and tax policy that Dolezal has campaigned on, according to gregdolezal.com. The lieutenant governor’s grip on the Senate calendar can determine whether proposals reach a floor vote each session.

This has happened before. Trump has spent the 2026 cycle issuing serial endorsements in statewide primaries and general elections, extending a practice that reshaped Republican fields in 2022 and 2024, according to ballotpedia.org. His backing has repeatedly cleared primary opponents and rallied the party base behind favored candidates.

The next decision rests with Georgia voters. Dolezal will meet McLaurin in the general election on November 3, 2026, according to wikipedia.org.

Georgia’s lieutenant governor’s office has been a launching pad and a battleground before. Casey Cagle held the post from 2007 to 2019, the longest tenure in state history, then lost a 2018 gubernatorial primary runoff to Brian Kemp after a recorded conversation surfaced during the race, according to ballotpedia.org. Geoff Duncan followed and later broke publicly with Trump over the 2020 election, declining to seek reelection in 2022. The seat has repeatedly shaped the trajectory of Georgia’s most ambitious Republicans, rewarding some and ending the climb of others.