GUEST RECOMMENDATION 

Bruce LeVell

• Georgia businessman
• Political commentator with 33 years of business experience
• A longtime adviser to President Trump

Our great republic was always designed to attract hard-working men and women to step forward and serve. Whether serving on a city council, as mayor, in Congress, the Senate, or as a county commissioner, our system functions best when led by citizens rooted in real-world experience. In my view, the finest leaders have always been those who built something from nothing—entrepreneurs who took a vision, risked it all, and grew a business from the ground up.

These are leaders who know what it truly feels like to navigate tough times. They know the burden of maxing out a credit card during a sales slump just to meet payroll, keeping quiet to avoid causing panic, and pressing onward out of an unshakable commitment to their employees, their business, and their family.

For far too long, voters have been conditioned to believe that career bureaucrats and lifetime politicians are the only ones qualified to occupy these high offices. That is simply not true. There is profound value when successful men and women who have mastered business step aside from private life to share their wisdom, knowledge, and stewardship with the taxpayers.

That leader is Rick Jackson.

By contrast, we have seen what happens when career politicians hold the reins during critical moments. Keisha Lance Bottoms had her opportunity as Mayor of Atlanta, but when times grew tough, she ultimately chose to step down. During a volatile period, Atlanta faced historic unrest and instability, and had it not been for bold leadership from leaders like Governor Brian Kemp stepping in to say “enough is enough,” the damage could have been far worse.

As a lifelong Georgian—with roots spanning back through my father and grandfather, along with generations of my family residing in Atlanta and across the state—I believe there is no one more qualified to lead Georgia into its next chapter than Rick Jackson.

I admit a deeply personal resonance with Rick’s story. As an orphan, my life was forever changed when a loving family took me in, adopted me, and raised me as their own. Because of this, I hold a special appreciation for Rick Jackson’s journey as a former foster child. Unless you have walked in those shoes, it is hard to put into words the profound impact of being chosen and nurtured by a family that loves you. That experience creates an internal drive, an empathy, and a deep-seated passion for people.

That passion is precisely what Georgia needs under the Gold Dome today: a governor who genuinely cares for people across every background, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity.

Having gotten to know Rick Jackson and his wife, Melody, I have observed his character firsthand. At 71 years old, Rick remains grounded in the principles that allowed him to start with nothing and build a remarkably successful enterprise. Visiting his operations, you immediately notice the culture he has built—men and women of all political persuasions, backgrounds, and walks of life working together, many having remained with him for decades. That kind of enduring camaraderie speaks volumes about his character and leadership style.

Georgia is currently at a crossroads. Managing our state budget requires more than political rhetoric; it requires a proven steward who views taxpayer dollars with the same respect and responsibility as a business owner managing their own enterprise. Rick Jackson brings that exact discipline and perspective.

It is time to move beyond career politics and look toward leadership grounded in practical success, resilience, and genuine service. Georgia deserves a governor who has proven they can build, sustain, and lead through challenges—a true servant leader ready to act as a faithful steward of the public trust. That leader is Rick Jackson.

About Bruce LeVell

Bruce LeVell is a Georgia businessman and a political commentator with 33 years of business experience.

Bruce LeVell is a Georgia businessman and political commentator with 33 years of business experience, including as founder and managing partner of Dunwoody Diamonds USA and LeVell Properties. A longtime adviser to President Trump, he served as executive director of the National Diversity Coalition for Trump (2015–2018) and as the SBA’s Region 4 Advocate for eight southeastern states. He is a former chairman of the Gwinnett County Republican Party and a 2016 Republican National Convention delegate. Today he serves as Director of Public and Private Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He has made more than 400 TV and radio appearances, including CNN, Fox News, and NewsNation.