Republican primaries test Trump endorsements as Georgia and Alabama runoffs loom

Voters in multiple states cast ballots in Republican primaries on Tuesday, providing a barometer for the influence of former President Donald Trump’s endorsements ahead of the 2024 general election. The contests include runoff races in Georgia and Alabama, as well as primaries in Oklahoma, the District of Columbia, and a special election in California’s 14th Congressional District.

In Georgia, Trump endorsed Rep. Mike Collins in the Republican Senate runoff against former football coach Derek Dooley. Collins, who led the May 19 primary with 40% of the vote, highlighted the endorsement in campaign ads. Dooley, backed by Governor Brian Kemp, has outspent Collins on television advertising and portrays himself as an outsider who will work with Trump and prioritize Georgia.

The Georgia governor’s race also heads to a runoff, pitting Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones against billionaire businessman Rick Jackson. Both candidates have invoked Trump’s support, with Jones emphasizing his role in the 2020 alternate electors and Jackson positioning himself as a wealthy outsider.

In Alabama, the Republican Senate runoff features Rep. Barry Moore, who received Trump’s endorsement, against former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson. Moore leads the May 19 primary with 39% of the vote and has benefited from significant ad spending by allied super-PACs.

Trump’s influence extends to Oklahoma, where he endorsed former state Sen. Mike Mazzei for governor and former state House Speaker T.W. Shannon for lieutenant governor. The state also holds a primary for the open Senate seat previously held by Markwayne Mullin, with incumbent Rep. Kevin Hern expected to retain the nomination.

Washington, D.C., holds a Democratic mayoral primary following Mayor Muriel Bowser’s retirement, with City Councilmember Janeese Lewis George and former Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie emerging as the leading contenders. The race will proceed to ranked-choice tabulation if no candidate secures a majority.

California’s 14th District will vote in a special primary to replace former Rep. Eric Swalwell. State Sen. Aisha Wahab and BART board member Melissa Hernandez advanced as the top Democratic candidates and will appear on the ballot for the August special general election if no candidate wins an outright majority.

Other notable contests include open House seats in Oklahoma’s 1st District and Georgia’s 11th District, where candidates seek to succeed retiring Republicans.

"I was very clear with the president about why I thought we needed a political outsider in this race," Governor Kemp said, referring to his support for Dooley.

"The allegations are bogus," Rep. Collins said in response to an ethics inquiry involving a former staffer.

"I have never called myself a retired Staff Sergeant," Moore’s campaign stated after questions about his military service.

These primaries will shape the composition of the Senate, governorships, and congressional delegations as the nation heads toward the November elections.