Georgia Sets June 16 Runoffs for Governor, Senate and Seven

Richard Woods received 49.89 percent of the vote in the May 19 Republican primary for state school superintendent, falling short of the majority required under Georgia law and forcing a June 16 runoff against Fred “Bubba” Longgrear.

The crowded field in both parties produced nine runoffs across statewide offices, sending voters back to the polls less than a month after the first round and extending the nomination process for key positions including governor and U.S. Senate.

Republican Gubernatorial Field Narrows to Jackson and Jones

Rick Jackson and Burt Jones advanced from the Republican primary for governor. Jackson, a late entrant who poured millions into television advertising, faces Jones, the lieutenant governor who secured the endorsement of former President Trump.

The matchup pits a self-funded outsider against an established statewide official with strong party ties. No other candidates cleared the threshold to continue, leaving these two to decide the nominee on June 16.

Senate Primary Produces Collins-Dooley Contest

Mike Collins and Derek Dooley will meet in the Republican U.S. Senate runoff. Both candidates emerged from a multi-person field that failed to produce a majority winner on May 19.

The contest will determine the Republican nominee to succeed retiring Sen. Johnny Isakson’s successor in a state that has trended solidly Republican in recent federal elections. Turnout in the runoff will test whether either candidate can consolidate support from eliminated rivals.

Democratic and Additional Republican Runoffs Fill Out the June Ballot

Democratic voters will choose between Josh McLaurin and Nabilah Parkes for lieutenant governor, Penny Brown Reynolds and Dana Barrett for secretary of state, Keisha Sean Waites and DeAndre Mathis for insurance commissioner, and Nikki Porcher and Michelle “Michi” Sánchez for labor commissioner.

On the Republican side, John F. Kennedy faces Greg Dolezal for lieutenant governor, Tim Fleming meets Vernon Jones for secretary of state, and Woods confronts Longgrear for state school superintendent. These races cover the remaining statewide offices that lacked a first-round majority.

Runoff Voting Rules Limit Participation to Primary Voters

Voters who cast ballots in the May 19 primary must stay within the same party for the June 16 runoff. Non-voters from the first round and those who participated as nonpartisan can select either party’s ballot.

The rule concentrates decision-making among those already engaged in the May contests while allowing new participants limited flexibility. Campaigns now have less than four weeks to mobilize supporters for the final round.

The June 16 runoffs will conclude the nomination process for these offices ahead of the November general election.