Georgia Republicans Hold Runoff Elections to Choose Senate and Governor Nominees

Jun 16, 2026

Georgia Republicans are holding runoff elections to select nominees for U.S. Senate and Governor, testing Donald Trump's influence. His endorsed candidates, Rep. Mike Collins and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, face rivals backed by Gov. Brian Kemp. In the governor's race, billionaire Rick Jackson has spent over $100M. The Senate winner will challenge well-funded incumbent Jon Ossoff in a critical race for control of the U.S. Senate.

Georgia Republican runoff elections

▪In the May 19 primary, Mike Collins led the Senate field with 40% of the vote, 10 percentage points ahead of Derek Dooley.
▪Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the U.S. Senate, and Democrats would need a net gain of four seats to win control.
▪The U.S. Senate runoff featured Rep. Mike Collins against former college football coach Derek Dooley.
▪The gubernatorial runoff was between Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and billionaire businessman Rick Jackson.
▪Jon Ossoff is the only incumbent Democratic senator running for reelection in a state Donald Trump won in 2024.
▪On June 16, 2026, Georgia Republicans held runoff elections to nominate candidates for U.S. Senate and Governor.
▪The winner of the Republican Senate runoff will challenge incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in the November election.

Trump endorsement power

▪Donald Trump endorsed Rep. Mike Collins for the Senate, calling him a "MAGA warrior" and a "WARRIOR and WINNER".
▪Outgoing Governor Brian Kemp endorsed Derek Dooley in the Senate runoff.
▪Donald Trump endorsed Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones for governor 10 months before the runoff.

Senate race electability debate

▪Derek Dooley has criticized Mike Collins over a House ethics complaint alleging misuse of taxpayer money.
▪The Republican Senate Leadership Fund has pledged to invest $44 million to flip the Georgia Senate seat.
▪Derek Dooley argued that the Republican Party has not won a Georgia Senate race in 10 years and needs a new type of candidate.
▪Political science professor Charles Bullock said some Republican operatives concede that Jon Ossoff is likely to hold his seat.
▪Incumbent Senator Jon Ossoff raised $60 million and had nearly $33 million in cash on hand entering May 2026.
▪Mike Collins is the sponsor of the 2025 Laken Riley Act, which requires immigrants accused of certain crimes to be held without bond.
▪Neither Republican Senate candidate, Mike Collins nor Derek Dooley, had raised more than $5 million as of late May 2026.

Rick Jackson self-funding campaign

▪Billionaire Rick Jackson has spent over $100 million on his gubernatorial campaign, mostly from his own funds.

Secretary of State election denialism

▪The Republican runoff for Georgia Secretary of State featured Vernon Jones, who claims there was 2020 election fraud, and Tim Fleming.
▪Candidate Tim Fleming stated there were "irregularities" in the 2020 election, a term used by Republicans who do not directly endorse Donald Trump's claims.