DemDaily: Tuesday’s Election Results! Kentucky, Georgia
May 20, 2026
Voters in six states went to the polls Tuesday in high-profile, consequential primary contests in Kentucky, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Alabama, as well as Idaho and Oregon -- with many of the marquee races now headed to June runoffs.
While President Donald Trump claimed victories in his war of retribution against members of his own party who have dared to defy him, a number of his endorsed pro-MAGA candidates may not fare as well in general election match-ups -- particularly in swing states.
Similarly, although Trump's popularity among conservative voters may carry a primary, his record negatives among the larger populace can just as easily sink a general election contest.
| See: DemDaily: The 2026 Calendar and Election Updates! 4/29/26 |
Among the most-watched primaries were key contests in Kentucky and Georgia.
KENTUCKY
Primary Elections: US Senate, US House, State Senate, State House, State Supreme Court, Appellate Courts, Municipal, School Board, Ballot Measures
US House: 4th Congressional District
It was the most expensive US House primary in history, seven-term Republican Congressman Thomas Massie lost re-nomination to former Navy SEAL and farmer Ed Gallrein, who challenged Massie at the behest of President Donald Trump.
Over $33 million total was spent on TV ads alone, over half of which came from pro-Israel interest groups and aligned donors upset with Massie's opposition to foreign aid. A conservative with a reputation as an independent thinker, Massie incurred Trump's wrath as the president's most outspoken Republican critic, leading the fight for the release of the Epstein files.
Gallrein and Democrat Melissa Claire Strange, a supply chain director for a global nutrition and agribusiness company, will go head-to-head in November.
US Senate
In the election to succeed seven-term Senator and former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, former State Senator and 2022 Senate nominee Charles Booker defeated former Marine fighter pilot and 2020 Senate nominee Amy McGrath, 46.7%-35.8%, followed by five candidates under 7%.
Booker will face the Trump-endorsed Congressman Andy Barr (CD-6), who easily swept the Republican primary with 60.5%, defeating former state Attorney General David Cameron (30.8%) and ten other candidates.
GEORGIA
Primary Elections: US Senate, US House, Congress Special Election, Governor, State Executive Offices, State Senate, State House, State Supreme Court, Appellate Courts, Municipal, School Board, Ballot Measures
Runoff: June 16, 2026 (if no candidate receives a majority, or over 50%, in the primary)
US Senate
In the key presidential battleground, Senator Jon Ossoff, 39, who unseated Republican Senator David Perdue 50.2%-49.8% in a 2021 runoff election, is Democrats' most vulnerable incumbent and critical to any hopes of their retaking the upper chamber.
The Senate's first millennial, the popular Ossoff was uncontested in the primary and is sitting on a war chest of more than $30 milion heading into the general election.
In the contentious Republican primary, Congressman Mike Collins (CD-10) and former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley, who has the support of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, advance to a June 16 runoff election. Collins secured 40.5%, Dooley 30.2% and Congressman Buddy Carter (CD-1), 25.1%.
| A longtime Republican stronghold, Georgia came into play as a battleground in 2020 when Joe Biden won the Peach State by 0.3%. While Democrats occupy both of the state’s US Senate seats, Trump flipped the Peach State in 2024 by 2.2%. It is one of two Democratic-held Senate seats, along with Michigan, that are up in a state that Trump won in 2024. |
Governor
In the open seat to succeed term-limited Republican Governor Brian Kemp, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms handily won the Democratic nomination with 56.2%, defeating six other candidates, including former State Senator Jason Esteves (18.7%), former State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond (12.9%), and former Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan (7.0%).
Lance Bottoms will face the winner of the Republican primary runoff between Trump-endorsed Lt. Governor Burt Jones (38.4%) and billionaire newcomer Rick Jackson (32.5%), who self-funded $73 million of the $107 million spent by the Republican field of eight candidates. Jones self-funded $19 million of his primary budget.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who gained national prominence for rejecting Trump’s effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia, came in a distant third with 15%. The general election is rated among the most competitive of 2026.
Lt. Governor: In the race to succeed Jones, both Democratic and Republican primaries are going to runoffs: Democrats/Top Two Primary: Josh McLauren (41.4%) and Nabilah Parkes (39.5%)
Republicans/Top Two Primary: John F Kennedy (27.3%) and Greg Dolezal (23.1%)
Attorney General: Democrat Tanya Miller and Republican Ryan Strickland both easily won their primaries to advance to the general election.
State Supreme Court: In the officially nonpartisan, high-stakes elections for Georgia's High Court, all three incumbent conservative justices won reelection, successfully defending their seats against Democratic-backed liberal challengers.
| The Democratic momentum continues to outperform. Nearly 1.1 million voters showed up for Georgia's Democratic primary, compared to under 950,000 for the Republicans. |
Tomorrow! Tuesday's Election Results in Pennsylvania, Alabama, Idaho, Oregon
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Sources: The Guardian, Politico, The Hill, NPR, New York Times, AdImpact, NBC, CNN, State papers
