Georgia Republican primary delivers mixed results for Trump | News
Trump’s Influence Tested in Georgia Primary Elections
June 17, 2026
In a significant test of his influence, President Donald Trump experienced mixed results in the recent Georgia primary elections. While his endorsed candidate for the U.S. Senate prevailed, his choice for governor did not gain traction among Republican voters.
On Tuesday, four states and the District of Columbia held their primary elections as part of the midterm election cycle. In Georgia’s Senate race, Republican Mike Collins, 58, secured victory over former football coach Derek Dooley, earning the chance to face off against incumbent Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat seeking re-election in a state Trump won in the previous election cycle.
Ossoff, who was elected during the 2020 cycle, has criticized Trump, labeling him a “national embarrassment” and accusing him of exploiting the presidency for personal gain. Collins, a second-term congressman and self-identified “MAGA warrior,” has echoed Trump’s unfounded claims regarding the 2020 election results in Georgia. Despite his campaign win, Collins thanked various supporters and family members but did not acknowledge the president.
The outcome of the midterm elections in November will be pivotal in determining control of Congress during the final two years of Trump’s second term.
In the governor’s race, healthcare entrepreneur Rick Jackson, 71, surpassed Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones. Jackson invested approximately $100 million of his personal fortune into the campaign, outperforming Jones, who held Trump’s endorsement. Jackson will face Democratic candidate and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in the general election.
Notably, Trump did not feature prominently in the candidates’ post-election comments, unlike previous primary nights when Republican contenders typically expressed gratitude to the party leader. Although he endorsed Jones, Trump did not campaign in Georgia alongside him.
Jackson, drawing comparisons to Trump throughout his campaign, refrained from overtly invoking the president’s name on election night. Trump later recognized Jackson on social media, stating he “very successfully campaigned on being ‘TRUMP,’ and won.”
These mixed election results come after many of Trump’s endorsed candidates found success in earlier spring primaries. The president will face another significant challenge in August, when his chosen candidate for governor in Oklahoma will contend in a Republican primary runoff.
