Georgia’s political future came into focus Tuesday night as voters narrowed crowded primary races down to six major contenders in two of the state’s most consequential races.
Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and billionaire dark horse candidate Rick Jackson advanced to a runoff election to decide the Republican nominee for governor. Meanwhile, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms emerged victorious on the Democrat side, setting up a competitive election to succeed Republican Governor Brian Kemp.
Republican Congressman Mike Collins and former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley also advanced to a runoff to determine who will challenge incumbent Democrat Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.
Georgia is expected to be one of the most-watched battleground states heading into the 2026 midterms, with national implications for both parties.
Jones, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump and one of Georgia’s most recognizable conservative figures, entered the race with significant momentum after securing the president’s endorsement. As lieutenant governor, Jones championed lower taxes, increased funding for the education system, and supported law enforcement.
Billionaire Rick Jackson spent more than $83 million of his own fortune on the race, vastly outspending the other GOP candidates. Jackson, who made his fortune as a healthcare executive, framed his campaign around government accountability and spending reform.
“Work brings dignity, purpose, and independence. If you want to sit on your butt, binge-watching Netflix and eating Cheetos, do it with your own money,” he said during the campaign.
Despite Jackson’s massive spending advantage, Jones received the endorsement of President Trump, leaving the race neck-and-neck. The runoff election will now decide who advances to the general election against Bottoms.
Bottoms, who rose to national prominence during her tenure as Atlanta mayor, positioned herself as the establishment Democrat in the governor’s race. Backed by major Democrat donors and party operatives, Bottoms ran on expanding healthcare, protecting abortion, and increasing government investment in social programs.
Her nomination sets her up for her first attempt to win a statewide general election after she served as a senior adviser in the Biden White House following her departure from City Hall.
As mayor, Bottoms oversaw Atlanta during the COVID pandemic and the riots that followed the death of George Floyd. She has been staunchly opposed to President Trump, whom she has described as “a madman in the White House.” Bottoms eliminated cash bail requirements for several offenses and pushed policies that restrict police from pursuing misdemeanor suspects.
On the Senate side, the Republican race in Georgia could become one of the most expensive and nationally significant contests in the country.
Collins, a conservative congressman and trucking business owner, campaigned as a pro-Trump outsider focused on border security, economic growth, and rolling back Biden-era policies. Dooley decided to get involved after becoming frustrated with “congressional gridlock and a failure to service the public.” The primary will determine who will face Ossoff, one of the Democrats’ highest-profile incumbents.
Ossoff narrowly won his Senate seat in the 2021 runoff elections, which temporarily gave Democrats control of the Senate. With Georgia serving as a swing state in recent elections, both parties are expected to pour significant resources into the race ahead of November.
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