Voters across the country delivered a mixed verdict in a series of high-profile primary contests Tuesday, elevating political outsiders, boosting progressive candidates in deep-blue jurisdictions, and offering fresh clues about President Donald Trump’s hold on the GOP ahead of the midterm elections.Republican businessman Rick Jackson defeated Trump’s preferred candidate, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, in Tuesday’s Georgia Republican gubernatorial runoff, marking the second time in the 2026 election cycle that GOP voters have rejected a Trump-backed candidate in a statewide race.Trump and term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) both endorsed Jones, but their support proved insufficient. With 85% of ballots counted, Jackson led Jones 52.8% to 47.3%. He will advance to face the Democratic nominee, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, in November.
“Vote for Burt Jones,” Trump said at a May campaign rally. “He’s just an incredible guy who has my complete and total endorsement in the race.”
TRUMP AND KEMP PLAY KINGMAKER AS GEORGIA VOTERS HEAD TO THE POLLS
Jackson’s victory came after he poured at least $100 million of his own fortune into the race, making it the most expensive gubernatorial primary in Georgia history. The contest exposed a divide within the Georgia GOP, with Jones leaning heavily on his experience as lieutenant governor and support from Trump and Kemp, while Jackson cast himself as a political outsider capable of shaking up the status quo. The race grew increasingly bitter in its final weeks, with Jones repeatedly attacking Jackson’s massive self-funding effort.
