Trump-Backed Candidates Score Major Wins in Multi-State Primaries

Kentucky upset, Georgia runoffs, and key governor races headline Tuesday’s election results

On Tuesday, six states held their primaries for the November election, including nominations for Governor, Senate, and House seats. 

A majority of races were decided last night, however elections in Georgia and Alabama will have runoffs taking place on both sides. Trump backed picks had major wins last night across the country, as well. 

In Kentucky’s 4th district, Trump backed candidate Ed Gallrein defeated GOP incumbent Thomas Massie. Massie has been the one of the loudest opposition from the Republican side on President Trump. It was reported that the race totaled in about $32.8 million in ad spending. Representative Andy Barr (KY-6th), also backed by Trump, won the GOP primary to replace the retiring Mitch McConnell. 

A winner has yet to be decided in two of Georgia’s largest races. For governor, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Healthcare Businessman Rick Jackson advanced to a run off in June. Jones entered the race as the candidate endorsed by President Trump, but Jackson’s significant bankroll was able to keep him afloat. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Attorney General Chris Carr both failed to reach the run off stage. The winner of the Jones/Jackson runoff will face former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms who secured the Democratic nomination. 

Georgia’s Senate Election also will be going to a run off, as Rep. Mike Collins (GA-10th) and former football coach Derek Dooley will compete again in June. The winner will face incumbent Democratic senator Jon Ossoff, who won his race unopposed. Rep. Mike Collins has been a close ally to President Trump, and was the Trump endorsed candidate for this race. However, Dooley has the significant support of Governor Kemp, who has publicly endorsed and campaigned on Dooley’s behalf. 

The governor's race in Alabama was set last night, as Senator Tommy Tuberville secured the GOP nomination. Tuberville will face Doug Jones, in a rematch from their 2020 senate race. On the Senate side, Barry Moore advanced to replace Tuberville, with a second candidate for the runoff still undecided. Dakarai Larriett and Everett Wess advanced on the Democrat side. The primary races for the four House Districts were pushed to August 11th. 

Incumbent Governor Josh Shapiro and State Treasurer Stacy Garrity both ran unopposed for the Governor’s primaries. Tony Guy was the only republican primary who had to be decided last night, the race decided District 17's GOP candidate. Five of the 17 primaries for Pennsylvania democrats were also decided. 

For the Oregon’s Governor’s Race, Oregon State Senator Christine Drazen earned the nomination from a large field and will have a 2022 rematch versus Incumbent Governor Tina Kotek. The GOP race for Senate is still too early to call, as Democratic incumbent Jeff Merkley won his nomination handedly. All GOP primaries for the House were decided with no significant contest, with the Democratic primary only having one close race in District 2.   

Finally Idaho wrapped up their nominations with no major upsets. The Governor’s race will be incumbent Governor Brad Little vs Democrat Terri Pickens, who ran for Lieutenant Governor in 2022 and lost. Republican Senator Jim Risch will face David Roth who has run for house and senate in the past 2 cycles with no success beyond the primary stage. 

The next round of primaries will take place on May 26th, with Texas’s primary run offs. Then on June 2nd; California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota will all hold their primaries.