A split verdict for Trump in Georgia
Georgia Republicans delivered a mixed result in Tuesday's runoff elections, embracing President Donald Trump's preferred Senate candidate Mike Collins but rejecting his choice for governor. Collins, a Trump-backed conservative, won the nomination to face Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in what is expected to be one of the most competitive races of the 2026 midterms. The outcome in the governor's race was a different story.
Billionaire outspends Trump's pick
Rick Jackson, a first-time candidate who poured more than $100 million of his personal fortune into the race, defeated Trump-endorsed Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. Jackson's victory demonstrates that deep pockets can overcome even a presidential endorsement in modern politics. The Georgia Republican legislative leaders also rejected Governor Brian Kemp's call for a special redistricting session following a Supreme Court decision on the Voting Rights Act.
Broader implications for 2026 midterms
The Georgia results come as Republicans are losing support among young, Latino, and independent voters, according to recent polling. With high-stakes battleground races taking shape across the country, the split decision in Georgia suggests that Trump's endorsement power, while still formidable, has limits. Democrats see the Senate race as a top pickup opportunity, with Ossoff's race likely to draw national attention and funding.