Georgia's Republican primary campaign for governor will go to a June runoff, with Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones facing off against healthcare billionaire Rick Jackson, locking out Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a longtime political enemy of Donald Trump who finished a distant third.
Republican Senate Race
The Republican race to challenge US Senator Jon Ossoff remains similarly unresolved. Mike Collins emerged from a crowded Republican primary contest Tuesday as the top vote-getter. He will face Derek Dooley, a former University of Tennessee football coach endorsed by Georgia's governor, in the June 16 runoff.
Democratic Primary
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Democratic primary for governor outright, avoiding a runoff. She was endorsed by Joe Biden and took a wide lead shortly after polls closed, according to preliminary results from the Associated Press.
Judicial Elections
Two Georgia Supreme Court justices won re-election, fending off Democratic-backed challengers former state senator Jen Jordan and personal injury attorney Miracle Rankin. Judicial elections in Georgia are nonpartisan and decided on primary election ballots. The court is currently considering the constitutionality of a six-week “heartbeat” abortion ban, adding subtext to the race. The contest has been heavily advertised online, historically unusual for a judicial race in Georgia.
Campaign Spending
The judicial contest has at times overshadowed the race to replace outgoing Republican Governor Brian Kemp. The Democratic primary was relatively genteel compared to dueling attack advertising among Republicans. Jones, endorsed by Trump, and Jackson will continue their showdown, which has consumed almost all available advertising inventory on Georgia television. Jackson, a political newcomer, upended the contest by pouring nearly $50 million of his own money into campaign advertising. Republican candidates spent more than $100 million in total, according to AdImpact.
Political Context
A long-time Republican stronghold, Georgia has emerged as a consequential swing state, narrowly voting for Biden in 2020. Democrats occupy both of the state's US Senate seats. The open race for governor is considered one of the most competitive in the country. Senator Ossoff had no Democratic primary challenger and sits on more than $30 million heading into the November election.
