Rick Jackson’s Shift on DEI Policies in Governor Race
Rick Jackson, who is vying for the Republican nomination for governor in Georgia, has indicated support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies while he was associated with Jackson Healthcare. However, he now promises to eliminate DEI initiatives if elected.
In his campaign, Jackson stated, “We will ban DEI madness and criminalize reverse discrimination.” This statement seems to contradict the previous praise he received from Matthew Harrison, a former DEI executive at Jackson Healthcare who worked there from 2018 until August 2022.
Harrison, who holds a doctorate in workplace diversity, noted that the leadership at Jackson Healthcare recognized the importance of DEI efforts. He mentioned in a 2020 podcast, “It’s been really reinforcing for our employees that certainly our leaders recognize the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Despite Jackson’s current stance, there are reports suggesting that the company took proactive measures to promote DEI, including hosting discussions aimed at fostering a more inclusive workplace. Harrison described a series they established called “The Conversation” that launched in 2019, which was intended to create a safe space for discussing sensitive topics related to race.
Harrison emphasized that the workplace should encourage these discussions and that these initiatives were crucial, particularly following high-profile incidents such as the death of George Floyd, which sparked nationwide protests.
Jackson’s campaign spokesperson, Dave Abrams, criticized claims that Jackson Healthcare endorsed DEI principles, calling them an insignificant attack from political opponents. He highlighted that the company maintains high hiring standards regardless of DEI initiatives.
At 71, Jackson announced his candidacy earlier this year, joining a competitive field of Republican hopefuls. He is the billionaire founder of Jackson Healthcare, which employs over 1,500 staff members in the healthcare staffing sector. His campaign emphasizes repealing DEI policies, freezing property taxes, lowering income taxes, and maintaining tough immigration policies.
While Jackson’s team contests the claims surrounding DEI support, digital investigations reveal previous company posts supporting Harrison’s DEI initiatives. This includes promoting his participation in discussions on embedding DEI in business practices.
Harrison recalled moments when Jackson directly engaged with DEI conversations, reinforcing the necessity of such initiatives within their corporate culture.
Despite Jackson’s assertions, his campaign maintains that no formal DEI requirements have ever been established at Jackson Healthcare. Abrams reiterated this stance, further distancing Jackson’s current position from his company’s past actions regarding DEI.
Fox News Digital has attempted to reach out to both Harrison and Jackson Healthcare for additional comments.
