Georgia Voters Force Runoffs In High-Stakes GOP Primaries

The Georgia Republican gubernatorial and Senate primaries advanced to runoffs Tuesday night after no candidate in either race secured enough votes to win the nomination outright.

Businessman Rick Jackson and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, the top two vote-getters in the gubernatorial primary, will advance to the runoff.

Former football coach Derek Dooley and Republican Rep. Mike Collins will advance to the Senate primary runoff.

The runoff election will take place June 16. (RELATED: Trump Faces His Next Midterm Powder Keg In Georgia)

Mike Collins has led every single poll since he got into this race. He is the only candidate who can take on Jon Ossoff and win.

Georgia Republicans have one shot to get this right. pic.twitter.com/ipfreG7ztO

— Mike Collins War Room (@TeamOverhaulGA) May 18, 2026

President Donald Trump endorsed Jones early in the 2026 Georgia governor’s race, writing in a Truth Social post in August 2025, “Burt Jones for Governor has my Complete and Total Endorsement – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

Thank you, Mr. President! pic.twitter.com/r41viWZ4RL

— Burt Jones (@burtjonesforga) May 18, 2026

The endorsement underscored Jones’s long-standing alignment with Trump, dating back to 2015, when he became one of the first Georgia state legislators to publicly back Trump’s first presidential bid.

On Monday, one day before the primary, the president reiterated his support in another Truth Social post, writing, “Burt Jones has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Governor of the Wonderful State of Georgia.” (RELATED: Leading GOP Candidate In Georgia Governor’s Race Sues Trump-Backed Opponent For Defamation)

By contrast, Trump took a more hands-off approach in the GOP Senate primary, declining to endorse a candidate ahead of Tuesday’s election.

Republicans currently hold the governor’s office, while Democrats hold both of Georgia’s U.S. Senate seats. The GOP is eager to unseat incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, who is seeking reelection in 2026. (RELATED: Six Primaries That May Determine The Future Of The GOP After Trump)

.@DerekDooleyGA tells @RuthlessPodcast what nine years under Coach Nick Saban taught him:

“You either produced or you weren’t there for long.”

“It always starts with leadership because leadership sets the tone.” pic.twitter.com/EObYUh9HZj

— Dooley War Room (@DooleyWarRoom) February 20, 2026

Meanwhile, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who is term-limited and will leave office after 2026, moved quickly to influence the Senate race. Kemp endorsed Dooley shortly after the former football coach launched his Senate bid in August 2025.