Georgia governor primaries: latest updated results in 2026 election
The Republican primary for Georgia governor is headed to a runoff, while former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms secured the Democratic nomination to succeed Gov. Brian Kemp after Tuesday’s election.
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and healthcare executive Rick Jackson advanced to a June 16 runoff in the Republican primary, coming out ahead of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr.
As of 11:45 p.m., Tuesday, Jones leads the Republican field with 38.3% of the voted, followed by Jackson with 32.6%.
As the election results came in, Jones pushed back against Jackson’s spending during the campaign.
“Tonight Georgia sent a clear message — you can’t buy this state and now, Georgia, it’s time to finish the drill,” Jones said in a news release. “Georgia is too important to risk handing it to a billionaire Never Trumper with a checkbook. We’re ready to win this race and then beat Keisha Lance Bottoms in November to keep Georgia the best place to live, work and raise a family. Georgia’s best days are ahead and I am ready to lead us there.”
Jackson ended his night leaning on his experience in business and support of President Donald Trump.
“When we win, President Trump will be a winner because I’ll be President Trump’s favorite governor,” Jackson said in a news release. “When he looks at Georgia, he’ll see a state that is leading the nation, led by an outsider.”
In the Democratic primary, Bottoms won with about 56% of the vote.
“Keisha Lance Bottoms will be an outstanding governor who will fight for all Georgians by working to bring down costs, finally expanding Medicaid and protecting Georgians’ most fundamental freedoms,” Democratic Party of Georgia chairman Charlie Bailey said in a news release. “Keisha is a battle-tested, proven executive with a record of achievement in Atlanta — helping bring in new jobs, support small business, and build more affordable housing. The contrast in the governor’s race could not be more stark: while Burt Jones and Rick Jackson do whatever Donald Trump tells them to do, Keisha is a leader who will never be afraid to stand up and fight for Georgia.”
Former Georgia state Sen. Jason Esteves, a Columbus native, received the second-most votes in the Democratic primary with 18%.
“The outcome of this election is not what we worked for,” Esteves said in a news release. “However, I will always be proud of the multiracial, multigenerational coalition we built statewide — inspired by our state’s promise, and hopeful for a future where our state leaders put Georgians’ health, wealth, and opportunity first. This campaign has always been greater than one person. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to flip Georgia blue this year and change the face of political power for generations to come. I remain committed to that work.”
Business owner and pastor Olu Brown, former Republican and former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, Georgia state Rep. Derrick Jackson (District 68), attorney and former Georgia Labor Commissioner Mike Thurmond and accountant Amanda Duffy also qualified for the Democratic primary.
Some of the top issues in the Republican primary have centered on lowering property and income taxes, public safety and school choice. In the Democratic primary, candidates have focused on data center regulations and protecting voting rights after Gov. Brian Kemp called for a special session to redistrict voting maps.
Over 580,000 people voted early in the Democratic primary, according to data from the Georgia Secretary of State, and about 429,000 people voted early in the Republican primary. Around 15,000 people voted early on a nonpartisan ballot.
This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 8:07 PM with the headline "Georgia governor primaries: latest updated results in 2026 election."
