The southern US state of Georgia holds its primary elections on Tuesday, drawing battle lines for November's consequential midterm elections. The races will determine candidates for the US Senate, governor, and other key state positions.
The most closely watched contest is the Republican primary to challenge incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, who won in 2020 amid a liberal surge in a historically conservative state. Five Republicans are vying for the nomination, including US Representatives Buddy Carter and Mike Collins.
Collins leads in fundraising and endorsements but faces an ethics probe over alleged misuse of congressional funds. Outgoing Republican Governor Brian Kemp has endorsed former college football coach Derek Dooley as a moderate alternative. Other candidates include former Army General Jonathan McColumn and businessman John Coyne.
In the Democratic gubernatorial primary, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms leads a crowded field. Her opponents include former DeKalb County executive Michael Thurmond and former Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, a former Republican. The winner will face either billionaire Rick Jackson or Trump-endorsed candidate Burt Jones in the general election.
Georgia's political landscape has shifted dramatically since 2020, when Biden won the state for the first time since 1992. However, Trump defeated Harris there in 2024. The midterms will test whether Georgia is trending Democratic or remains competitive.
Control of the US Senate hangs in the balance, with Democrats needing to hold Ossoff's seat to reclaim the majority. Currently, Republicans control both chambers. A Democratic win in either house would constrain Trump's agenda in his final two years.
Statewide races will shape election administration and redistricting. Outgoing Governor Kemp has called a special session to redraw congressional maps after a Supreme Court ruling, a move critics say could dilute Black voting power.
Recent polls show Collins leading the Republican Senate primary with 22%, followed by Carter at 12.5% and Dooley at 11%. If no candidate reaches 50%, a runoff will be held on June 16. In the Democratic gubernatorial primary, Bottoms averages in the high 40s, far ahead of Thurmond.
All 14 US House seats in Georgia are up for election, along with state legislative races and judicial positions. A record one million Georgians have already voted early. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time on election day.
Source: www.aljazeera.com