Trump Endorsee Loses Georgia Governor Runoff
Tuesday’s primaries produced a rare crack in Trump’s endorsement record heading into the November midterms, with Georgia’s governor race a bellwether for MAGA influence. The Georgia Senate race sets up a high-profile Ossoff vs. Collins contest that could affect Senate control.
The Morning Brief Desk · · Updated June 18, 2026 · How the Brief is made
Georgia Republicans selected billionaire Rick Jackson over Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in Tuesday’s gubernatorial runoff, handing President Trump a rare endorsement loss. Trump had backed Jones, making Jackson’s victory a notable exception to the President’s strong endorsement record heading into November’s midterm elections. Trump-backed candidates won the other two contested runoffs in Georgia and Alabama on the same night.
In the Georgia Senate runoff, Republican Rep. Mike Collins defeated Derek Dooley and will face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November. Trump endorsed Collins following the May 19 primary. Analysts noted the Ossoff-Collins contest could affect Senate control. The governor’s race result cast doubt on Trump’s political grip in Georgia — a state he lost in 2020 and again in the 2024 Senate runoffs.
Sources
Trump falls short in Georgia governor’s race: 5 takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries
Georgia Republicans dealt a blow to President Trump on Tuesday, bucking his preferred pick Lt. Gov. Burt Jones for billionaire Rick Jackson in the gubernatorial runoff.
Trump wins two, loses one: Georgia billionaire delivers rare blow to endorsement machine
Trump-backed candidates won two of three key GOP runoffs in Georgia and Alabama, but lost the gubernatorial race to billionaire Rick Jackson.
US primaries in Oklahoma, Georgia, others: Key takeaways from the results
Trump-backed candidates fall short in primary results in the US ahead of crucial midterms in November.
Collins wins Georgia Senate runoff, to challenge Ossoff
Republican Rep. Mike Collins defeated Derek Dooley and will face Sen. Jon Ossoff in November; Trump endorsed Collins after the May 19 primary.
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