Brad Raffensperger was eliminated from the Republican primary for governor in Georgia on Tuesday, ending his campaign in one of the state’s most closely watched races. The crowded GOP primary featured several high-profile candidates competing to replace term-limited Governor Brian Kemp. Since no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two finishers advanced to a runoff election scheduled for June 16.
Burt Jones and businessman Rick Jackson secured the two leading positions in the Republican contest. Attorney General Chris Carr and Raffensperger were both eliminated after failing to gain enough support to continue to the runoff stage. Political analysts described the outcome as a significant development in Georgia’s evolving Republican landscape.
Raffensperger became nationally known following the 2020 presidential election, when he rejected efforts to challenge Georgia’s election results. His disagreements with President Donald Trump drew national attention and continued to influence Republican politics in the state. Throughout the campaign, Raffensperger focused on issues such as election security, economic growth, and government accountability while attempting to rebuild support among GOP voters.
Jones entered the race with strong backing from Trump and campaigned heavily on support for the America First movement and conservative priorities. Meanwhile, Jackson gained attention by investing heavily in advertising and presenting himself as a political outsider focused on business experience and government reform. Both candidates emphasized conservative policies and argued they were best positioned to keep the governor’s office in Republican control.
The Georgia governor’s race is expected to remain one of the most competitive contests of the 2026 midterm election cycle. Republicans are aiming to maintain control of the governor’s office, while Democrats are hoping to build momentum in a state that has become increasingly competitive in recent national elections. The Republican runoff will likely draw significant national attention as candidates work to consolidate support ahead of the general election.
On the Democratic side, former Keisha Lance Bottoms won her party’s primary and will face either Jones or Jackson in the November election. Political observers expect the general election to focus heavily on economic issues, public safety, election policy, and the future direction of state government in Georgia.