WASHINGTON (AP) — Voting concludes in the swing state of Georgia on Tuesday in competitive primaries for governor and a U.S. Senate seat that could decide control of the closely divided chamber.The nomination contests will set the stage for two of November’s marquee races that could have long-lasting political implications far beyond the state’s borders.Georgia voters will also pick nominees for U.S. House, the state Legislature and a long list of statewide offices, such as lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and state attorney general. Also on the ballot are nonpartisan judicial races, including two competitive contests for state Supreme Court.Eight Republicans are vying for the nomination to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Brian Kemp, including state Attorney General Chris Carr, health care executive Rick Jackson, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
Jones has President Donald Trump’s endorsement, but Jackson is testing the value of the president’s backing by pouring more than $83 million into the race from his personal fortune.The Democratic field includes former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, former state Sen. Jason Esteves, state Rep. Derrick Jackson, and former state labor commissioner and former DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond.
