Originally posted by MCO Group, June 17, 2026

Below is a concise update on Georgia’s June 16, 2026, primary runoff elections and a preview of the November 3 general election. Several marquee races are now set, and Georgia will again be a closely watched crucial battleground this fall.

Top line: Billionaire businessman Rick Jackson won the GOP Nomination for Governor despite endorsements by President Trump and Governor Brian Kemp for Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones.  Georgia’s general-election matchups are now set, with Republicans expected to pivot toward the center as they face well-funded Democratic nominees, including Sen. Jon Ossoff and former Mayor of Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms, in November, who have launched a unified Democratic ticket.  Both of Gov. Kemp's endorsed statewide candidates were defeated on Tuesday.

Key Results & Election Outlook

U.S. Senate: Incumbent Democrat Senator Jon Ossoff will face GOP Nominee Mike Collins after defeating Gov. Kemp-backed Derek Dooley. Ossoff is the only Democratic senator running for re-election in a state that President Donald Trump won in 2024.

Governor: Republican Nominee Rick Jackson will face Keisha Lance Bottoms in November after defeating Trump and Kemp endorsed Lt. Governor Brian Kemp in the most expensive primary campaign for Governor in the state’s history.  Jones won election day voting by 8+ percent but it was not enough to overcome Jackson's early voting totals.

Lieutenant Governor: State Sens. Josh McLaurin (D) and Greg Dolezal (R)  will face off in November after winning their respective runoff elections. Dolezal defeated John F. Kennedy for the GOP nomination, and McLaurin defeated Nabilah Parkes for the Democratic nomination.

Secretary of State: State Rep. Tim Fleming will face Penny Brown Reynolds in November after winning their respective runoffs.

Commissioner of Insurance: State Rep. Keisha Waites will face Incumbent John King after beating DeAndre Mathis.

School Superintendent: Incumbent Richard Woods will face Lydia Powell after fending off a strong primary challenge.

Commissioner of Labor: Nikki Porter will face incumbent Bárbara Rivera Holmes.

Public Service Commission District 5: Josh Tolbert will face Shelia Edwards after defeating Bobby Mehan in this open PSC seat to replace Tricia Pridemore.

State Senate: There will be 10 new members of the state Senate after this year’s primary season, with very little change expected in the November elections. Republicans should maintain their current 33-23 majority. However, if Democrat headwinds at the top of the ticket create significant coattails, the Senate could have Democrat presiding officers, in which Republican leadership would likely rewrite the Senate Rules to empower the Committee on Assignments, the powerful group responsible for determining the structure, membership, and leadership of all other standing committees within the Senate.

State House: There will be at least 21 new House members when the legislature convenes in January 2027, with Democrats hoping to pick up key battleground state House seats in Metro Atlanta suburbs. The House Republican Caucus will focus on defending the seven most vulnerable incumbents: Kimberly New (HD-40), Sharon Cooper (HD-45), Scott Hilton (HD-48), Deb Silcox (HD-53), Matt Reeves (HD-99), Sandy Donatucci (HD-105), and in SW Georgia, Gerald Greene (HD-154). Absent a complete blue wave, House Republicans should maintain a 16-20 seat majority.

What This Means for You

Georgia’s November ballot is now largely set, shifting attention from primary dynamics to general-election messaging, spending, and turnout.

For clients, the most consequential races remain governor, U.S. Senate, lieutenant governor, and key regulatory offices that influence litigation, utilities, data centers, labor, education, and election administration.

Businesses with a Georgia footprint should monitor how the campaigns frame economic development, energy demand, tort reform, workforce policy, and public-sector oversight heading into 2027.

Please let us know if you would like a tailored briefing on the runoff landscape, general-election implications, or sector-specific policy risks and opportunities in Georgia.

In Case You Missed It

Special Session

The Georgia General Assembly will be in Special Session beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, with a targeted adjournment of Friday, June 26, 2026, although it may be extended. Special sessions are limited to the subjects listed in the proclamation issued by the Governor (GA. CONST. art. 5, §2, ⁋7(a)). In this case, Gov. Kemp stated the following subjects to be considered:

• Redrawing congressional and state legislative maps for the 2028 election cycle.
  
• Election laws.
  
• LHOST laws as prescribed in Code Section 48-8-109.52, enacted by the 2026Georgia Laws Act 461 (SB 33).
  
• Ratification of the executive orders suspending the gasoline tax; and
  
• For the Senate to consider and confirm various gubernatorial appointments.
  

Special and Study Committees

Special and Study Committees could begin their work as soon as this week with the legislature in town. A link to the details about Committees can be found here.