Georgia primary – Georgia’s primary season didn’t end neatly on election night: multiple state races failed to clear the 50% threshold, triggering summer runoffs. Key contests include the Republican gubernatorial field, a competitive U.S. Senate GOP primary, both sides of the l
By the time Tuesday’s results were still trickling in, it was clear Georgia was heading into another round of political combat.
The final picture of the primary night stayed incomplete longer than it should have. In Fulton County, results remained in limbo until the last polling location closed in Sandy Springs. That polling site had been temporarily shut down earlier in the day because of nearby police activity. and polling hours were extended to 11:02 p.m.
Georgia requires a candidate to pass the 50% threshold to win outright. When no one reaches that midway point. the race moves to a runoff between the top two contenders—even if one candidate has a lead. With that rule looming over every contest, several statewide races will be heading back to voters this summer.
Republican gubernatorial primary
After months of sharp competition between Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and healthcare CEO Rick Jackson, neither candidate captured enough momentum to win outright. Jones received the most votes statewide, totaling 357,880 or 38.36%, according to results from the Georgia Secretary of State.
Jackson finished second with 303,402 votes, or 32.52%, a result that kept the race unresolved. Their runoff will set up another stretch of targeted attacks and political advertising between the two.
On election night, Jackson appealed to Jones voters by accusing the lieutenant governor of using his position to financially benefit his own family. Jackson leaned into a “self-made” message and urged voters to choose between a “conservative leader” like himself and a “politician.”
Jones responded in social media posts. saying the election “sent a clear message” that “Georgia isn’t for sale. ” pointing to Jackson’s multi-million dollar campaign spending from his own personal fortune. He framed the choice for Jackson voters as whether to trust a “billionaire Never Trumper with a checkbook.”.
Republican US Senate primary
In the U.S. Senate race, Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff was running unopposed in his primary, leaving November’s battle to the Republican candidates seeking to take the seat.
State representative Mike Collins led the Republican field with 40.50% of the vote, but it still wasn’t enough to avoid a runoff. The night stayed tight for second place as results came in, with state representative Buddy Carter and former college football coach Derek Dooley trading positions.
Dooley ultimately secured 30.19% of the vote, edging Carter’s 25.11%, and will join Collins on the November ballot after the runoff is finalized. Outgoing Gov. Brian Kemp is backing Dooley, and will likely put substantial political support behind the coach in the weeks ahead.
Lieutenant governor primaries
Runoffs are also coming from both sides of the lieutenant governor ballot.
On the Democratic side, state senator Josh McLaurin narrowly beat former state representative Nabilah Parkes, winning 41.41% to Parkes’ 39.50%. There were only three candidates on that ballot.
The Republican race was far more crowded, with seven candidates splitting the vote. John F. Kennedy emerged on top with 27.29% of the vote, followed by Greg Dolezal at 23.11%. Both will move into a runoff.
Secretary of state primaries
The secretary of state race will also be decided through runoffs.
On the Republican side, Tim Fleming finished first with 39.22% and Vernon Jones placed second with 27.29% in a five-person field, setting up a runoff between them.
On the Democratic side, Penny Brown Reynolds won 42.34% and Dana Barrett took 35.22%, also resulting in a runoff.
When the runoff elections will happen
All of these races will be back on the ballot on June 16 across the state.
The timing is especially pointed: the runoffs will take place just one day before the Georgia General Assembly is back in Atlanta for a special session. That session is set to consider changes to the voting process and machines, and to discuss possible redistricting for the 2028 election cycle.
The general election in Georgia is scheduled for Nov. 3.
Even without clear wins everywhere, a few races broke away
Not every race stayed unresolved.
Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, dominated the Democratic gubernatorial primary. With Fulton County’s results in, she finished with 56.22% of the vote. The closest second-place finisher was Jason Esteves with 18.66% in the crowded field.
Many predictions had Bottoms just below the 50% threshold, but her support across the state exceeded expectations. She will now face either Jackson or Jones in November.
There were also decisive victories in Georgia Supreme Court races. The race was not a primary and will not appear on the ballot again in November, meaning Tuesday’s winner will head to the bench.
Ben Land was running unopposed, but both incumbents Charlie Bethel and Sarah Hawkins Warren faced challenges from liberal attorneys seeking to shift the court’s balance.
In the technically non-partisan race, Jen Jordan and Miracle Rankin secured endorsements from Barack Obama and Kamala Harris. Warren defeated Jordan with 59.34% of the vote.
Bethel’s contest was closer, but he ultimately won against Rankin with 51.12% of the vote.
(Editors’ note: Irene Wright covers midterm races in Georgia as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.)
Georgia primary runoff Georgia gubernatorial primary Burt Jones Rick Jackson Derek Dooley Mike Collins Josh McLaurin John F. Kennedy Tim Fleming Penny Brown Reynolds Georgia Secretary of State lieutenant governor runoff