ATLANTA, Ga. – Voting has concluded in Alabama, Oklahoma, and Washington, D.C., where significant Democratic and Republican primaries and runoff elections took place on Tuesday.
Even though he’s not on the ballot, President Trump’s considerable sway over the Republican Party is being tested in critical runoff elections in Georgia and Alabama, with voting having just ended.
In these contests, Trump-endorsed candidates are engaged in intense competition for both gubernatorial and Senate nominations in Georgia, a key battleground, as well as in solidly Republican Alabama.
Tuesday’s elections in Georgia and Alabama align with primaries in Oklahoma, and voters in California’s 14th Congressional District are participating in a special election, aiming to narrow down the field of candidates vying for the seat left vacant by the resignation of Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell.
Georgia, however, is drawing the most focus—Trump made a significant endorsement just over the weekend. The Senate race here is one of the few midterm elections nationwide that might influence whether Republicans can keep their narrow majority in the chamber.
Trump is backing former college football coach Derek Dooley, who has thrown his support behind Republican Rep. Mike Collins, recognized as a MAGA advocate and Trump supporter. Collins also enjoys the backing of Georgia’s popular conservative governor, Brian Kemp.
Collins expressed to Fox News Digital, “It’s a true honor to have that kind of endorsement. It shows he believes we know how to win this race and that we’re leading in this field.”
When asked about the timing of Trump’s endorsement in Georgia, whether it might be too late to impact the outcome, Collins replied, “I don’t believe it’s too late for Trump. He has a unique talent for making a difference at just the right time.”
Dooley, positioning himself as an outsider, remarked in an interview that Trump’s endorsement of his competitor “doesn’t change my feelings.”
“I’m grateful for Governor Kemp’s support. Sure, it would have been great to have the president’s backing. But the key support I seek is from the people of Georgia,” he added.
Collins, who represents Georgia’s 10th Congressional District, is the son of the late Congressman Mac Collins and co-founded a trucking company with his wife.
In contrast, Dooley, an attorney and former University of Tennessee football coach, is closely linked to his longtime friend, Governor Kemp. They frequently appear together on the campaign trail, with Kemp’s senior political adviser also engaged in Dooley’s Senate campaign.
Both Collins and Dooley emerged as the top candidates from a crowded primary last month, which also included U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter. None secured over 50%, leading to their advancement to the runoff.
The Republican nominee from Georgia will face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in the midterm elections. Republicans see Ossoff as particularly vulnerable and have heavily targeted him. Meanwhile, during the past year, Ossoff has been building a substantial fundraising advantage.
Trump’s influence will also be tested in Georgia’s gubernatorial runoffs. Last year, he endorsed Lieutenant Governor Bert Jones, who is up against Rick Jackson, a businessman who has invested more than $100 million in his campaign.
The winner will face former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who previously served in the Biden administration, in the upcoming general election after securing a majority in last month’s Democratic primary.
Jones and Jackson were the top two candidates in a crowded Republican gubernatorial primary that included Attorney General Chris Carr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. With no candidate achieving 50% of the votes, they progressed to the runoff.
Jones commented on Trump’s endorsement, stating it’s vital in Georgia. Governor Kemp recently endorsed Jones, emphasizing the need to ensure the best candidates prevail in November.
“Given our state’s direction and what we’ve accomplished, I believe he is best positioned to lead us forward,” Kemp remarked, underscoring the consequences of failing to win.
Jones served as the University of Georgia football team captain and comes from a notable political lineage. Meanwhile, Jackson gained recognition for his compelling backstory of success, despite personal challenges.
He has highlighted his outsider status and business perspective, asserting, “I believe I could be Trump’s preferred governor because of our similar approaches.”
In Alabama, Trump is backing U.S. Rep. Barry Moore in the Republican Senate runoff against Jared Hudson, a former Navy SEAL sniper. Moore, who previously owned a waste-hauling company, has strong endorsement ties that include notable political figures.
Hudson, running as an outsider, recently defeated state Attorney General Steve Marshall to advance in the runoff. His diverse background includes military service, firefighting, and small business ownership.
In Oklahoma, Trump has endorsed Mike Mazzei in the gubernatorial primary to fill Kevin Stitt’s position due to term limits, as well as Jackson Rahmeyer in a race for Congress.
Washington, D.C. is witnessing a significant Democratic primary for the position of mayor, which could decisively shape the district’s leadership.
Trump’s strong backing of candidates has recently reshaped various Republican primaries, leading to ousters of incumbents in states like Indiana and Texas.
Yet, there have been challenges. Support for ambitious candidates didn’t always lead to victories. For instance, an endorsement from Trump for Iowa Republican Randy Feenstra didn’t guarantee success.
In upcoming primaries, established candidates like South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham managed to secure his position without needing a runoff, facing challenges from critics within the party.
