Georgia Sends 6 Key Primaries to June 16 Runoffs as Candidates Fall Short of 50%
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · May 20
Georgia Sends 6 Key Primaries to June 16 Runoffs as Candidates Fall Short of 50%
13 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · May 20
June 16 runoffs will decide six major Georgia primaries after no candidate cleared the state's 50% threshold in Tuesday's voting.
Burt Jones led the Republican governor's race with 38.36% to Rick Jackson's 32.52%, while Mike Collins topped the GOP Senate primary at 40.50% and will face Derek Dooley, who edged Buddy Carter for second.
Lieutenant governor runoffs are set in both parties: Democrat Josh McLaurin took 41.41% to Nabilah Parkes' 39.50%, and Republican John F. Kennedy led Greg Dolezal 27.29% to 23.11% in a seven-way field.
Secretary of state contests also advanced, with Republicans Tim Fleming and Vernon Jones moving on and Democrats Penny Brown Reynolds and Dana Barrett securing the top two spots.
Keisha Lance Bottoms avoided a Democratic governor runoff by winning 56.22%, and the June 16 runoffs will land one day before lawmakers return for a special session on voting rules, machines and possible 2028 redistricting.
How will a special session, one day after runoffs, change future elections?
Why does Georgia's runoff system persist despite causing low voter turnout?