In Georgia primary, Republicans dominate spending and Democrats drive record turnout

"Tuesday's primary elections in Georgia have been defined by record-setting fundraising, contentious Republican primaries and turnout driven by enthusiastic Democrats. Many of the marquee races are likely to head to June 16 runoffs, as Republicans will decide who faces incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff and both parties sift through a crowded field of candidates for governor. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is term-limited. Both the Senate and gubernatorial contests are expected to be among the most competitive in November."

"Like every other state that has held a primary election in 2026, a surge in turnout has been dominated by Democrats. More than a million Georgians cast their ballots before Election Day, with Democrats enjoying a nearly 15% turnout advantage over Republicans. A consequential Senate matchup Ossoff is the most vulnerable incumbent Democrat on the ballot this fall, but a divisive Republican primary has eaten up most of the time and attention in the race."

"The frontrunner in polls and campaign finance reporting is Rep. Mike Collins, followed by Derek Dooley, son of famous University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley. Dooley has the backing of Gov. Brian Kemp, who declined to run himself. Rep. Buddy Carter is also in the race. President Trump hasn't yet offered an endorsement, likely because the race will head to a runoff."

"In the wake of last month's Supreme Court decision weakening part of the Voting Rights Act, there is also increased attention on two nonpartisan Georgia Supreme Court seats on the ballot that Democrats seek to flip. Like every other state that has held a primary election in 2026, a surge in turnout has been dominated by Democrats. More than a million Georgians cast their ballots before Election Day, with Democrats enjoying a nearly 15% turnout advantage over Republicans."

Georgia’s primary elections were marked by record-setting fundraising, contentious Republican primaries, and turnout driven by enthusiastic Democrats. Many top races are expected to move to June 16 runoffs, including the Senate contest that will determine who faces incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff and the open governor race after term limits remove Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. Turnout surged statewide, with more than a million Georgians voting early, and Democrats holding nearly a 15% turnout advantage over Republicans. The Senate race centers on Ossoff’s vulnerability and a crowded Republican field led in polls and finance by Rep. Mike Collins, with Derek Dooley and Buddy Carter also competing. Attention also increased on two nonpartisan Georgia Supreme Court seats after a Supreme Court decision weakened parts of the Voting Rights Act.

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