One year since Trump’s “Liberation Day,” Georgia families are paying more — and Republican candidates for governor are standing by the policies that caused it.
Instead of standing up for Georgians, they’ve defended these tariffs, dismissed their impact, or stayed silent — making clear they’ll stand with Trump even as costs rise and businesses struggle. What was promised as an economic reset has instead driven up costs, slowed growth, and put Georgia’s core industries under strain.
Economic strain hasn’t stopped Georgia Republicans from backing that same agenda.
- Rick Jackson celebrated how Trump’s tariffs boosted his personal wealth, bragging about making an “80% return in four weeks” after buying stock options during a tariff-driven market downturn.
- Burt Jones praised Trump’s tariffs for putting “American jobs first,” backing the same policies that are driving up costs for Georgia families.
- Brad Raffensperger said steel importers impacted by tariffs would “figure it out and somehow make it work through this situation.”
- Chris Carr has remained silent on tariffs altogether, despite the growing impact on Georgia families and key industries.
And the consequences are already hitting Georgia families and businesses hard:
- Georgia small businesses are facing growing uncertainty and declining sales, with one Suwanee business owner reporting revenue down as much as 10% amid tariff-driven instability.
- Tariffs are dramatically increasing costs for Georgia businesses, with one Macon shop owner forced to pay $587 in tariffs on a $966 order — nearly doubling prices and forcing cuts to staff and operations.
- Economists warn tariffs are hitting small businesses hardest, creating widespread financial strain and leaving far more losers than winners across Georgia’s economy.
- Georgia families are already paying more at the grocery store, with a family of four spending up to $1,600 a month on food.
- Farmers are taking on debt just to stay afloat as production costs surge — including a $53-per-acre increase overnight — raising concerns about long-term sustainability and higher food prices.
- Diesel prices have surged past $5 per gallon after a 42% spike, increasing costs for farmers and businesses and ultimately driving higher prices for Georgia families.
“Georgia families are paying more at the grocery store, more at the gas pump, and more just to get by — and every Republican candidate in this race is either defending it, ignoring it, or cashing in,” said American Bridge 21st Century spokesperson Tiffiany Vaughn. “They’ve made it clear they’ll follow Trump’s lead no matter what — and Georgia families will pay the price. The only thing Republicans are delivering is higher costs, economic uncertainty, and candidates who are out of step with Georgians.”
Published: Apr 2, 2026