Raffensperger fails to secure runoff spot in Republican primary for Georgia governor

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger failed Tuesday night to clinch enough votes for one of the two spots in the runoff for the Republican primary for Georgia governor, losing to Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and health care executive Rick Jackson.

Raffensperger secured just 14% of the vote, according to the Associated Press, compared to Jones' 37% and Jackson's 34%. Jones is considered the favorite to win the nomination after President Donald Trump endorsed his campaign.

Another closely watched race in Georgia is its Senate race, where Republicans are hoping to defeat Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November. The race has not yet been called, but GOP Rep. Mike Collins is in the lead for the GOP nomination. 

The results come on one of the busiest primary nights of the 2026 season, with six states holding their respective primaries. The other states are Alabama, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon and Pennsylvania.

Polls have already closed in Kentucky, where GOP Rep. Andy Barr won the Republican nomination for governor and GOP Rep. Thomas Massie lost his reelection bid for the House to Trump-backed Ed Gallrein.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.