Jones and Jackson Advance to Republican Runoff in Georgia Governor Race

May 20, 2026

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and billionaire Rick Jackson will face a June 16 runoff for the Republican nomination for Georgia governor after neither secured a majority. The expensive race, which has seen over $125M in ad spending, tests Donald Trump's influence via his endorsement of Jones. The winner will face a Democratic challenger in November to succeed term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp in the key battleground state.

Jones-Jackson Republican gubernatorial runoff

▪The runoff election between Burt Jones and Rick Jackson will be held on June 16.
▪Rick Jackson is campaigning on an outsider pitch intended to win over anti-establishment conservatives.
▪The runoff was necessary because neither candidate secured enough support to win the nomination outright in the May 19 primary.
▪Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and healthcare billionaire Rick Jackson advanced to a Republican primary runoff for Georgia governor.
▪The Republican Party has won every Georgia gubernatorial election since 2002.
▪The winner will seek to replace Republican Governor Brian Kemp, who is barred from running again by term limits.
▪Over $125 million has been spent on advertising in the Republican primary, with Rick Jackson's campaign spending over $66 million.
▪Burt Jones argues his conservative record and an endorsement from Donald Trump make him the clear choice for voters.

Trump endorsement influence in Georgia

▪Donald Trump's record as a political kingmaker in Georgia has been mixed, with failures in 2022 to unseat Gov. Brian Kemp and a loss by his Senate pick, Herschel Walker.
▪Former President Donald Trump endorsed Burt Jones for Georgia governor in 2025.
▪A victory for Burt Jones would strengthen Donald Trump’s influence in Georgia, a critical battleground state.

Republican US Senate primary contest

▪The main Republican candidates for U.S. Senate are Reps. Mike Collins and Buddy Carter, and former college football coach Derek Dooley.
▪Rep. Buddy Carter has attacked Rep. Mike Collins over a House ethics complaint alleging abuse of taxpayer funds.

Ossoff reelection campaign vulnerabilities

▪Georgia Republicans are holding a primary to select a challenger for Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff.
▪Republicans believe Jon Ossoff is vulnerable on immigration due to his initial vote against a 2025 law requiring detention for immigrants charged with certain crimes.
▪Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff is the only Democratic senator seeking reelection in 2026 in a state that Donald Trump won in 2024.

Democratic gubernatorial primary field

▪The Democratic primary field for governor includes former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan.
▪Other Democratic gubernatorial candidates include former state senator Jason Esteves and former state labor commissioner Mike Thurmond.

State Supreme Court judicial elections

▪The Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission stated that two Democratic-supported candidates for state Supreme Court violated judicial conduct rules.
▪Democrats are supporting Miracle Rankin in her challenge to incumbent Justice Charlie Bethel, hoping for the first defeat of an incumbent justice since 1922.