ATLANTA — Voters in Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma cast ballots in primary and runoff elections on Tuesday, with President Donald Trump’s endorsed candidates securing Republican Senate nominations in all three states but facing a notable setback in Georgia’s gubernatorial race.
In Georgia, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins defeated former football coach Derek Dooley in the Republican Senate runoff, according to results reported by major news outlets including The Associated Press. Collins, who received a late endorsement from Trump, will face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.
In the same state’s Republican gubernatorial runoff, billionaire health care executive Rick Jackson defeated Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who had endorsements from both Trump and Gov. Brian Kemp. Jackson’s victory marked a rare defeat for Trump’s preferred candidate in a high-profile race.
“Voters have spoken clearly,” Jackson said in a statement following his win, though specifics of his remarks were not immediately detailed in initial reporting.
In Alabama, Trump-backed U.S. Rep. Barry Moore won the Republican Senate runoff against former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson. Moore is positioned to succeed Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor.
Oklahoma held primaries for various offices, including U.S. Senate and governor. Results advanced certain candidates to potential runoffs, with Trump’s influence also noted in some contests, though full outcomes continued to be tallied.
The elections served as an early test of Trump’s endorsement power ahead of the 2026 midterms. While his picks prevailed in Senate races, the Georgia governor’s outcome highlighted limits to that influence in some statewide contests.
Georgia’s races drew particular attention due to their competitiveness and the involvement of high-profile figures. The state’s Senate contest pits Collins, known for his alignment with Trump’s agenda on issues like immigration, against Ossoff. The gubernatorial race featured significant spending, with Jackson investing heavily in his campaign.
Turnout details and final certified results were still emerging as of Wednesday. Officials in the respective states had not issued comprehensive statements on voter participation or any irregularities by early reports.
In Oklahoma, the gubernatorial primary saw multiple candidates advance toward a potential August runoff, including figures like Gentner Drummond and Mike Mazzei.
These contests set the stage for November matchups in what are expected to be key battlegrounds for control of Congress and state offices. Democrats and Republicans alike will now shift focus to the general election campaigns.
As vote counting concluded in most races, both parties claimed momentum from the outcomes, with no immediate indications of legal challenges. Further analysis of demographic and regional voting patterns is anticipated in coming days.
