Burt Jones and Rick Jackson Head to Georgia GOP Runoff

Burt Jones and Rick Jackson have advanced to a Republican runoff in Georgia, extending a fierce competition to represent the party in the midterm election this November. Jones, the state's lieutenant governor, and Jackson, a healthcare billionaire, will go head-to-head on June 16 after neither secured the majority needed to win outright in Tuesday's primary.

The winner will seek to replace Republican Governor Brian Kemp, who is term-limited. Former President Donald Trump endorsed Jones last year, and Jones thanked Trump on Tuesday night. A victory for Jones would bolster Trump's influence in Georgia, a crucial battleground state where his track record as a kingmaker has been mixed.

Democrats are also choosing their nominee, aiming to reclaim the governor's office for the first time since 1998. Candidates include former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, former state Sen. Jason Esteves, and former state Labor Commissioner Mike Thurmond.

In a separate race, Democratic candidate Jasmine Clark won Tuesday's primary to succeed the late Rep. David Scott in Georgia's 13th Congressional District, after Scott died in April while seeking reelection. Clark, a state representative, microbiologist, and Emory University instructor, pledged to prioritize evidence-based policy in Congress. Her campaign was boosted by over $2 million in outside spending from crypto-linked groups, though Clark said she did not seek their support. She is heavily favored in November's general election, where Jonathan Chavez is expected to be the Republican nominee after running unopposed in the primary.

Meanwhile, two-term Rep. Mike Collins advanced to a Republican runoff in Georgia's U.S. Senate race. Collins, 58, a family trucking business owner representing a district east of Atlanta, is closely aligned with Trump and describes himself as a “hard-working MAGA guy.” Immigration enforcement is a central focus of his campaign. Georgia Republicans are seeking a challenger to Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. Among Collins' opponents, Rep. Buddy Carter stands out for his conservative congressional record, while former college football coach Derek Dooley positions himself as a political outsider.

More than $125 million has been spent on advertising in the Republican gubernatorial primary, with over $66 million coming from Jackson's campaign, according to AdImpact. In contrast, Democratic gubernatorial candidates spent only about $4 million. Jones argues his conservative record as a state senator and lieutenant governor, combined with Trump's endorsement, make him the clear choice for GOP voters. “I think Georgia just spoke, folks,” Jones said at his election night party. “The reason I know we will win is because of friends and family.” Jackson is betting on his outsider appeal to win over anti-establishment conservatives. “I can’t be bought, and I won’t back down,” Jackson said. Jasmine Clark, a state representative, microbiologist, and Emory University instructor, won the Democratic primary to succeed the late Rep. David Scott in Georgia's 13th Congressional District.