Why It Matters
Georgia’s 2026 primary elections are shaping up as a bellwether for the national political environment ahead of November’s midterms. With an open governor’s seat, a vulnerable Democratic senator, and a pair of state Supreme Court races drawing unusual attention, Georgia could determine which party controls key levers of power in one of the country’s most competitive states.
What Happened
Georgia voters turned out in large numbers for Tuesday’s primary, with Democrats significantly outpacing Republicans in early voting. More than one million Georgians cast ballots before Election Day, with Democratic primary participants making up roughly 56.7% of that total compared to 41.7% for Republicans — a gap of nearly 15 percentage points.
Several of the state’s most contested races are expected to fall short of majority thresholds, sending candidates into a June 16 runoff. That includes both the Republican primary to face incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff and the wide-open governor’s race left vacant by term-limited Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.
The Senate Race
Ossoff is widely viewed as the most endangered Democratic incumbent senator on the 2026 map, but Republicans have spent months focused inward. Rep. Mike Collins leads in both polling and fundraising, followed by Derek Dooley — son of legendary University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley — who carries an endorsement from Gov. Kemp. Rep. Buddy Carter is also competing for the nomination. President Trump has not yet endorsed in the race, a likely sign he is waiting to see who advances from a runoff.
Governor’s Race Becomes Most Expensive Primary in State History
The contest to succeed Kemp has produced historic campaign spending. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones entered the cycle with a strong structural advantage, including Trump’s endorsement. But billionaire health care executive Rick Jackson entered the race several months ago and has since poured more than $80 million of his own money into advertising, positioning himself as the most committed conservative in the field.
Jones, whose family built a gas station and convenience store business, has also loaned his campaign close to $20 million. Together, the self-funding on the Republican side has made this the costliest gubernatorial primary in Georgia’s history. Both the Republican and Democratic sides of the governor’s race are expected to head to runoffs, and the general election contest is broadly considered a toss-up.
On the Democratic side, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is running alongside former state Sen. Jason Esteves and former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, among others. Democratic strategists have raised concerns about candidate selection, with some pointing to questions surrounding Bottoms’ tenure at city hall and her subsequent role in the Biden administration. National polling shows Republican headwinds in competitive states, though redistricting could partly offset Democratic enthusiasm heading into November.
State Supreme Court Seats Draw Unusual Scrutiny
Two nominally nonpartisan seats on the Georgia Supreme Court are also on Tuesday’s ballot, and they have drawn a level of attention rarely seen in judicial races. Republican-appointed incumbents Charlie Bethel and Sarah Warren face Democratic challengers — former state Sen. Jen Jordan and personal injury attorney Miracle Rankin — who have earned endorsements from figures including former President Barack Obama and a range of progressive organizations.
The races gained additional visibility after Kemp announced that Georgia legislators would return to the state capitol on June 17 — one day after the runoffs — to consider redrawing congressional and state legislative district maps ahead of the 2028 election cycle. Georgia’s current congressional map contains nine Republican districts and five Democratic ones, with no seats considered competitive even in a strong Democratic year.
By the Numbers
- 1 million+ early votes cast before Election Day
- 56.7% of early ballots pulled from the Democratic primary
- 41.7% of early ballots pulled from the Republican primary
- $80 million+ spent by Rick Jackson in the governor’s race
- ~$20 million loaned to his own campaign by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones
- June 16 — date set for primary runoffs
Zoom Out
Georgia’s turnout pattern mirrors what has been recorded in every other state that has held a primary in 2026. Across states including Texas, North Carolina, and Ohio, Democratic primary participation has surged compared to the 2022 midterm cycle. Polling suggests many voters remain critical of the national Democratic Party brand but are willing to support Democratic candidates out of dissatisfaction with the Republican majority in Washington and President Trump’s second-term agenda.
Georgia Democrats also point to November 2025 results as evidence of their momentum — two Democratic challengers flipped seats on the state’s Public Service Commission with roughly 63% of the vote. Republican incumbents in swing states are navigating a difficult environment as the party’s national standing faces pressure from both independent voters and intra-party divisions.
What’s Next
Runoff elections are scheduled for June 16, where voters will narrow the Republican Senate and governor’s fields. One day later, Georgia lawmakers are set to convene a special session to consider redrawing district maps — a decision that could have significant downstream consequences for both the 2026 midterms and the broader 2028 electoral cycle.