Georgia Primary Election Recap

May 19th was Primary Election Day in Georgia. With nearly all precincts fully reported, here are a few key takeaways and races to watch going into the June 16th runoffs:

Democrats outperformed Republicans in early voting and overall turnout, while Republicans dominated Election Day turnout numbers. More than one million Georgians voted early (a record for a Georgia primary!), with Democratic ballots outpacing Republican ballots by roughly 15% statewide. Overall turnout exceeded 2022 primary numbers by nearly 20%, signaling increased engagement on both sides heading into November.

Several Republican incumbents and Republican leaning open seats in the General Assembly experienced a surge in Democratic primary voters, underscoring the continued movement in suburban districts. Republican held seats in parts of Cobb, Gwinnett, North Fulton, and coastal Georgia saw Democrats outpace Republicans in turnout in legislative races, while competitive seats around the Metro Atlanta area were decided by razor-thin margins. These results suggest the General Assembly will continue to operate in an increasingly competitive political environment, despite Republicans remaining well positioned to maintain control of both chambers.

As anticipated, many of the key races at the top of the ticket will advance to runoffs following a crowded primary field. One of the most noteworthy moments of the night came when former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms secured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination outright with a staggering lead over her six opponents. Bottoms’ ability to avoid a runoff suggests that Democrats have an opportunity to put together a unified ticket going into the November General Election.

Key Statewide Races: 4 of Georgia’s 8 constitutional offices were open races in Tuesday’s election.

• US Senate

• • Congressman Mike Collins and Kemp-backed outsider Derek Dooley will advance to a runoff for the Republican nomination to unseat incumbent Jon Ossoff (D).

• Governor

• • Healthcare executive Rick Jackson and Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones will advance to a runoff for the Republican nomination. The winner will face Keisha Lance Bottoms in the November General Election.

• Lieutenant Governor

• • Former State Senator John F Kennedy and State Senator Greg Dolezal will advance to a runoff for the Republican nomination.

• • Former State Senator Nabilah Parkes and State Senator Josh McLaurin will advance to a runoff for the Democratic nomination.

• Secretary of State

• • State Representative Tim Fleming and former State Representative Vernon Jones will advance to a runoff for the Republican nomination.

• • Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett and former Fulton County Judge Penny Brown Reynolds will advance to a runoff for the Democratic nomination.

• Attorney General

• • State Senator Brian Strickland defeated State Senator Bill Cowsert for the Republican nomination.

• • State Representative Tanya Miller defeated former House Minority Leader Bob Trammell for the Democratic nomination.

• State School Superintendent

US House Races: 4 of Georgia’s 14 US House seats were open races in Tuesday’s election.

• District 1 (vacated by Buddy Carter)

• • Jim Kingston secured the Republican nomination.

• • Joyce Marie Griggs and Amanda Hollowell will advance to a runoff for the Democratic nomination.

• District 10 (vacated by Mike Collins)

• • State Representative Houston Gaines secured the Republican nomination.

• • Pam Delaney secured the Democratic nomination.

• District 11 (vacated by Barry Loudermilk)

• • John Cowan and Rob Adkerson will advance to a runoff for the Republican nomination.

• • Chris Harden secured the Democratic nomination.

• District 13 (vacated by David Scott)

• • Jonathan Chavez secured the Republican nomination.

The Georgia Supreme Court races emerged as one of the most consequential fights of the cycle. Although officially nonpartisan, the races became highly politicized, attracting substantial outside spending and statewide attention. Incumbent Justices Charlie Bethel and Sarah Hawkins Warren successfully defeated Democratic backed challengers, preserving the court’s conservative majority. Justice Warren defeated former State Senator Jen Jordan by roughly a 60-40 margin while Justice Bethel narrowly defeated trial attorney Miracle Rankin by less than 3 percentage points.

Attention now quickly shifts to the June 16th runoff elections, which will determine nominees in several high profile statewide races and further define the ideological direction of both parties as they look ahead to the November General Election.

Thank you to Middleton Public Affairs for sharing this information.