Topline
President Donald Trump notched up another GOP primary endorsement win on Tuesday night, as his preferred candidate in the Georgia Gubernatorial race, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, advanced to the runoffs alongside healthcare tycoon Rick Jackson, while Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger—who clashed with Trump over his bid to overturn the 2020 election—failed to advance.
Key Facts
The race was called early by the Associated Press and with 71% of the votes counted, Jones was on top with 38.8% of the votes.
Jackson, who is also advancing to the runoff, came second, having received nearly 33% of the votes.
In a speech to his supporters, Jackson mocked the Lt. Gov., saying, “Burt was all talk and no results” and added, “he’s not going to win the runoff either.”
Jackson described himself as an outsider and, despite not getting the endorsement, said he’ll be the president’s “favorite governor” and run the state “like Trump, but with a southern tongue.”
Jones told his supporters: “If we don’t squeak it out tonight…I’d love getting this guy [Jackson] one on one,” and called out his rival claiming $100 million was spent against him “most of it on attack ads.”
Former Trump foe and Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger was in a distant third place, notching up only 14.4% of the vote.
What About The Democratic Gov. Primary?
The Associated Press called the Democratic Primary race for Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, at 10:30 p.m. EDT. With 70% of the votes counted, Bottoms had a more than 40-point lead, having secured 57.8% of the votes. In her victory speech, the former Atlanta mayor said Georgians sent a “clear message” that they want a fighter and someone who will stand up to Donald Trump and all the chaos that’s raising costs, that’s hurt our economy, that threatens the rights that generations before us fought for.” She called out both the GOP candidates saying “the only people Burt Jones and Rick Jackson have fought for are themselves.”
What About The Georgia Senate Primary?
The Republican Party’s primary to nominate a challenger to Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff also progressed to a run off. Trump hasn’t endorsed any candidate but according to the Associated Press, which called the race at 11:16 p.m. EDT, GOP Rep. Mike Collins and football coach Derek Dooley will advance. Dooley is the son of legendary former Georgia Bulldogs football coach Vince Dooley.
Tangent
The senate race in the swing state is seen as one of the GOP’s key opportunities to pick up a seat in this year’s midterms. However, the betting markets are less convinced as bookmakers on Kalshi are giving Ossoff an 84% chance of winning in November.
Further Reading
Trump Nemesis Rep. Thomas Massie Loses Primary To Ed Gallrein, Major Victory For Trump (Forbes)
