Georgia primaries – Voters across Georgia picked nominees for November’s midterm races in House, Senate and governor primaries on May 19, with runoff contests looming in multiple congressional districts and key statewide contests shaping the path for open-seat battles.
Georgia voters headed to the polls on May 19 with one clear message: primary night won’t end the story for everyone. In several U.S. House contests—and in parts of the statewide race—no candidate cleared the threshold of more than 50%. setting up runoff elections and extending the fight into the next phase.
The May 19 results land with Georgia’s congressional delegation split across parties and several districts still in flux. The state currently has nine Republican representatives and four Democratic representatives in office. with one vacancy in the 13th district following the death of Rep. David Scott. Georgia’s 14th District is held by Rep. Clay Fuller after a special election filled the seat of former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
In the House primaries, all 14 districts held races for nominees to face off in the November midterms. Districts 1, 7 and 12 were expected to go to runoff elections if candidates failed to reach a majority in the primary.
District 1
Republicans and Democrats both split their primary vote shares, leaving the outcome for November unsettled. Jim Kingston won the Republican nomination with 52.4% of the vote, with an estimated 99% of votes counted. On the Democratic side. the race advanced to a runoff: Joyce Griggs earned 34.4% and Amanda Hollowell earned 24.7%. with an estimated 99% of votes counted.
District 2
Matt Day ran uncontested for the Republican nomination, while incumbent Rep. Sanford Bishop also ran uncontested for the Democratic nomination.
District 3
Incumbent Rep. Brian Jack won uncontested for the Republican nomination. On the Democratic side, Maura Keller won with 60.8% of the votes, with an estimated 99% of votes counted.
District 4
Jim Duffie won uncontested for the Republican nomination. Incumbent Rep. Henry Johnson Jr. won the Democratic nomination with 79.3% of the vote, with an estimated 99% of votes counted.
District 5
John Salvesen ran uncontested for the Republican nomination. Incumbent Rep. Nikema Williams won the Democratic nomination with 88% of the vote, with an estimated 98% of votes counted.
District 6
Republican nominee Kevin E. Martin won with 70.1% of the vote, with an estimated 70% of votes counted. Incumbent Rep. Lucy McBath ran uncontested for the Democratic nomination.
District 7
The Democratic contest in District 7 had not yet been called as results came in. Incumbent Rep. Rich McCormick won the Republican nomination uncontested. On the Democratic side, Tony Kozycki led early Wednesday with 40% of the vote, with an estimated 93% of the votes counted.
District 8
Incumbent Rep. Austin Scott ran uncontested for the Republican nomination. Democrat Kelly Esti won with 53.5% of the vote, with an estimated 99% of votes counted.
District 9
Incumbent Rep. Andrew Clyde won the Republican nomination with 76% of the vote, with an estimated 99% of votes counted. Caitlyn Gegen won the Democratic nomination with 60% of the vote, with an estimated 99% of votes counted.
District 10
Houston Gaines won the Republican nomination with 66.9% of the vote, with an estimated 99% of votes counted. Pamela Delancy won the Democratic nomination with 54.4% of the vote, with an estimated 99% of votes counted.
District 11
District 11 advanced to a runoff on the Republican side. John Cowan earned 42.6% of the vote and Rob Adkerson earned 21.7%, with an estimated 99% of votes counted. On the Democratic side, Chris Harden won with 74.8% of the vote, with an estimated 99% of votes counted.
District 12
Republican incumbent Rep. Rick Allen won the nomination with 83.4% of the vote, with an estimated 99% of votes counted. The Democratic contest advanced to a runoff: Ceretta Smith earned 32.8% and Traci George earned 26.7%, with an estimated 99% of the vote counted.
District 13
Jonathan Chavez won the Republican nomination uncontested. Jasmine Clark won the Democratic nomination with 56.1% of the vote, with an estimated 99% of votes counted.
District 14
Incumbent Rep. Clay Fuller won the Republican nomination with 81.3% of the vote, with an estimated 99% of votes counted. Shawn Harris won the Democratic nomination uncontested.
Georgia’s Senate primary results
Statewide, the Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff will defend his seat this fall against a Republican challenger. On May 19, voters set up which names will appear on that ballot. The Democratic side was decided with Ossoff winning the race uncontested.
The Republican contest advanced to a runoff: Mike Collins earned 40.5% of votes and Derek Dooley earned 30.2% of votes, with an estimated 99% of votes counted.
Georgia’s gubernatorial primary results
The governor’s race is in the spotlight because Gov. Brian Kemp is term-limited, opening the door for candidates to shape Georgia’s policy agenda and its national posture.
In the Republican contest, it also advanced to a runoff. Burt Jones earned 38.4% of the vote and Rick Jackson earned 32.5% of the vote, with an estimated 99% of votes counted. On the Democratic side, Keisha Lance Bottoms won with 56.2% of the vote, with an estimated 99% of votes counted.
Across Georgia. the pattern is straightforward: when candidates couldn’t cross the majority line in the primary—more than 50%—the election doesn’t end on May 19. House districts 1. 7 and 12 were among those expected to move toward runoffs. and the Republican Senate and gubernatorial contests also did not wrap up the way candidates wanted.
By the time November arrives, Georgia’s congressional and statewide battles will have already extended through another round in multiple races—turning primary momentum into a longer sprint toward final nominations.
Georgia primaries May 19 results U.S. House runoffs Georgia Senate primary Jon Ossoff gubernatorial primary Brian Kemp term-limited Burt Jones Rick Jackson Mike Collins Derek Dooley