Georgia Primaries Advance to Runoffs

In the recent Georgia primaries for the Republican gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races, no candidate secured enough votes to clinch the nomination outright, leading to upcoming runoffs.

Businessman Rick Jackson and Lieutenant Governor Bert Jones are poised to compete in the gubernatorial runoff, having received the most votes in their primary.

On the Senate side, former football coach Derek Dooley and Republican Senator Mike Collins will advance to their runoff.

The decisive election is scheduled for June 16th.

Mike Collins has consistently led in polls since entering the race, asserting that he is the strongest candidate to challenge Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff.

Former President Donald Trump endorsed Bert Jones early in the gubernatorial race, expressing his unwavering support and confidence in Jones’s candidacy. This endorsement highlights their long-standing alliance that began in 2015, when Jones was among the first Georgia congressmen to back Trump’s initial presidential campaign.

Trump reiterated his endorsement the day before the primary, reaffirming his belief in Jones as the best choice for Georgia’s future.

Conversely, Trump adopted a more neutral stance in the Senate primary, opting not to endorse any candidate prior to the elections.

While Republicans retain the governorship in Georgia, both Senate seats are currently held by Democrats. The party is eager to unseat the incumbent Jon Ossoff, who is up for re-election in 2026.

In an effort to influence the race, Governor Brian Kemp, who is term-limited and preparing to retire, endorsed Derek Dooley shortly after his Senate campaign began in August 2025.