Why It Matters
Tuesday’s Georgia Republican primaries will determine which candidates face Democratic incumbents in November’s general election, with control of the U.S. Senate potentially at stake. The contests also measure the competing influence of President Donald Trump and outgoing Governor Brian Kemp within the state’s Republican Party, as both leaders have backed different candidates in high-profile races.
Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff is considered one of the most vulnerable Senate incumbents seeking reelection in 2026, making Georgia’s Senate race a potential battleground for Senate control.
What Happened
Two U.S. House members are competing for the Republican Senate nomination without Trump’s endorsement, while the sitting governor has backed a third candidate. In the gubernatorial primary, Trump’s early endorsement of Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones faces a challenge from a businessman running close in polling.
U.S. Representatives Buddy Carter and Mike Collins have both centered their Senate campaigns on Trump’s policy agenda. At an Atlanta Press Club debate last month, Carter stated he is running to serve as a supporter of the president’s platform in the Senate. Collins similarly told debate moderators the Republican Party should continue Trump’s approach after his presidency concludes.
Trump has not issued an endorsement in the Senate primary. Governor Kemp has instead supported Derek Dooley, a former college football coach and son of legendary University of Georgia coach Vince Dooley. Kemp’s political action committee, Hardworking Americans Inc., has contributed millions to support Dooley’s campaign, and Kemp has personally contacted donors on his behalf, according to a Kemp advisor.
By the Numbers
Kemp’s PAC has spent millions supporting Dooley in the Senate race. Trump’s endorsement record in the 2026 midterm cycle includes victories over incumbents and wins in special elections. Kemp won reelection in 2022 after defeating a Trump-endorsed primary challenger. The governor is term-limited and cannot seek reelection.
In the gubernatorial race, businessman Rick Jackson is polling approximately even with Jones despite Trump’s endorsement of the lieutenant governor.
Zoom Out
The Georgia primaries reflect broader questions about Republican Party leadership as Trump’s second term progresses. Trump’s endorsement power has shaped multiple 2026 races nationwide, including recent primaries in Indiana where Trump-backed candidates defeated several incumbent state senators who opposed his redistricting preferences.
Kemp and Trump have maintained a strained relationship since Kemp declined to support Trump’s challenges to Georgia’s 2020 election results. However, Kemp remains popular among Georgia voters, as demonstrated by his 2022 reelection victory. The governor has not ruled out a potential 2028 presidential campaign.
Other Republican gubernatorial candidates include Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Attorney General Chris Carr, both of whom are positioning themselves as traditional Republican alternatives rather than emphasizing Trump-aligned messaging.
What’s Next
Primary results will be tallied Tuesday evening. The Republican Senate nominee will face Ossoff in November’s general election. In the governor’s race, the Republican nominee will compete for the open seat vacated by Kemp’s term limit.
Trump held a tele-rally for Jones earlier this month, where he clarified his endorsement amid what he described as confusion about which candidates he supports. The president’s level of involvement in Georgia races following Tuesday’s primaries will depend on the primary outcomes and his assessment of Republican competitiveness in November.