Georgia Primary Results: Key Races Head to Runoffs
Georgia held primary elections on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, with key races for Governor and U.S. Senate featuring crowded fields and multiple runoffs. Voter turnout exceeded 1 million in early voting, with 56.7% of early voters choosing Democratic ballots, 41.7% Republican ballots, and the remainder nonpartisan.
Georgia is considered a competitive swing state. President Joe Biden won the state by approximately 11,000 votes in 2020; President Donald Trump won the state in 2024.
Governor Race: Republican Primary
The Republican gubernatorial primary proceeded to a runoff on June 16 between Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and healthcare executive Rick Jackson, as no candidate secured a majority in the initial May 19 primary. Rick Jackson won the runoff, according to NBC News projections. With over 80% of the expected vote counted, Jackson led 53% to 47%.
Candidates
- Rick Jackson (runoff winner): A healthcare executive and first-time candidate who self-funded his campaign with over $100 million. He did not receive an endorsement from President Donald Trump.
- Burt Jones (runoff loser): Served as lieutenant governor since 2023. He received endorsements from President Donald Trump and outgoing Governor Brian Kemp. He was investigated by federal prosecutors for his role as a purported fake elector in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia, but was not charged in 2024.
- Brad Raffensperger (eliminated): Secretary of State who placed third in the primary. He had a public disagreement with Trump in 2020 when Trump asked him to "find" enough votes to change the state's outcome.
- Chris Carr (eliminated): Attorney General who described himself as a "Brian Kemp Republican."
Key Details
- Jones is the second Trump-endorsed candidate to lose a Republican gubernatorial primary this cycle.
- Both Jones and Jackson spent millions on television advertisements attacking each other since Jackson entered the race in early 2025.
Governor Race: Democratic Primary
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Democratic gubernatorial primary outright, avoiding a runoff.
Candidates
- Keisha Lance Bottoms (primary winner): Former Atlanta mayor, endorsed by former President Joe Biden.
- Geoff Duncan: Former Republican lieutenant governor who switched to the Democratic Party.
- Jason Esteves: Former state senator.
- Michael Thurmond: Former labor commissioner.
U.S. Senate Race
Incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff was unopposed for his party's nomination. On the Republican side, Rep. Mike Collins defeated Derek Dooley in the June 16 runoff.
- Mike Collins (Republican nominee): Incumbent U.S. Representative, endorsed by President Donald Trump.
- Derek Dooley (Republican runoff loser): Endorsed by Governor Brian Kemp.
Georgia has a Republican-controlled state government and two Democratic U.S. senators. The state is expected to be pivotal in November elections that may determine party control of the Senate.
Georgia Supreme Court Races
Two incumbent Georgia Supreme Court justices, Charlie Bethel and Sarah Warren, won re-election against Democratic-backed challengers Jen Jordan and Miracle Rankin. Judicial elections in Georgia are nonpartisan and decided on primary ballots. The court currently considers the constitutionality of a six-week abortion ban.
Context and Statements
- Governor Brian Kemp announced a special legislative session on redistricting starting June 17.
- Democratic turnout has been attributed by some sources to voter dissatisfaction with the Trump administration's agenda.
- Self-funding candidates have led to record campaign spending, according to some reports.