Atlanta, May 20, 2026 — Georgia held its 2026 statewide primary election Tuesday, deciding party nominees for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and two seats on the state Supreme Court, among dozens of other races. With incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp ineligible to seek a third term, the contests drew large and diverse fields on both sides of the aisle.
Governor
On the Democratic side, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won outright with 56.2% of the vote — more than enough to avoid a runoff — and advances directly to the November general election. Jason Esteves finished second with 18.7%, followed by Michael Thurmond at 12.9% and former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan at 7.0%.
The Republican primary was far more competitive. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones led with 38.4%, but businessman Rick Jackson ran a strong second at 32.5%. Former Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger drew 15.0% and former Attorney General Chris Carr took 11.9%. Neither Jones nor Jackson cleared the 50% threshold, sending the two to a June 16 runoff. The winner will face Bottoms in November.
Lieutenant Governor
Both parties are headed to runoffs in the lieutenant governor's race. On the Democratic side, state Rep. Josh McLaurin led with 41.4% and activist Nabilah Islam Parkes ran close behind at 39.5%. For Republicans, state Sen. John F. Kennedy topped the field at 27.3%, followed by state Sen. Greg Dolezal at 23.1%. All four candidates advance to the June 16 runoff.
Secretary of State
Georgia's chief elections officer post — still resonating with memories of the contested 2020 election — drew crowded fields in both parties. Democrat Penny Brown Reynolds led with 42.3%, followed by Dana Barrett at 35.2% and Cam Ashling at 12.3%. On the Republican side, Tim Fleming led at 39.2% with Vernon Jones at 27.3%. Both races go to June 16 runoffs.
Georgia Supreme Court
Two Supreme Court seats were decided by nonpartisan vote Tuesday. Incumbent Justice Charles Bethel survived a remarkably close challenge, defeating Miracle Rankin 51.1% to 48.9% — a margin of roughly 43,000 votes out of nearly 1.94 million cast. Incumbent Justice Sarah Hawkins Warren won more decisively, defeating Jen Aur Jordan 59.3% to 40.7%.
Legislative Races of Note
Several state legislative races with connections to Georgia's growing Asian American community produced results Tuesday. In State Senate District 7 — which covers parts of Gwinnett County — Ruwa Romman led with 38.2% and Rahul Garabadu followed at 33.2%, sending both to a June 16 Democratic runoff. Republican Aizaz Shahbaz Shaikh ran uncontested in the same district. In State Senate District 44, Democrat Saira Draper won decisively at 59.2% over Nadine Thomas, while Republican Ngozi Orabueze ran uncontested.
In State House District 98, Democrat Marvin Lim won with 61.4%. In District 99, Democrat Michelle Kang won with 71.5%, while Republican Matt Reeves ran unopposed.
What's Next
Early voting for the June 16 runoff begins June 8. All eyes turn to the Republican governor's race, where Jones and Jackson are expected to wage an aggressive monthlong campaign. The winner faces a general election against Bottoms, who heads into November as the first Black woman to win a major-party gubernatorial nomination in Georgia history.
Georgia Asian Times will continue to cover races and candidates of significance to the AAPI community in the weeks ahead.
Source: Associated Press, FOX 5 Atlanta, NBC News, WSB-TV. Results reflect election night reporting with votes still being certified.
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FEDERAL
U.S. Senate (Republican Primary)
Mike Collins 369,359 (40.5%)
Derek Dooley 275,312 (30.2%)
GEORGIA STATEWIDE PRIMARY
2026 GA Dem Primary
Governor
Keisha Lance Bottoms 606,983 (56.2%)
Jason Esteves 201,523 (18.7%)
Michael Thurmond 139,552 (12.9%)
Geoff Duncan 75,630 (7.0%)
2026 GA GOP Primary
Governor
Burt Jones 357,880 (38.4%)
Rick Jackson 303,402 (32.5%)
Brad Raffensberger 139,974 (15.0%)
Chris Carr 110,613 (11.9%)
2026 Georgia Justice Bethel Seat Nonpartisan Election
Supreme Court
Charles bethel 989,853 (51.1%)
Miracle Rankin 946,292 (48.9%)
Sarah Hawkins Warren 1,139,116 (59.3%)
Jen Aur Jordan 780,677 (40.7%)
2026 GA GOP Primary
Lt. Governor
John F. Kennedy 242,479 (27.3%)
Greg Dolezal 205,303 (23.1%)
2026 Democrats Primary
Lt. Governor
Josh McLaurin 426,132 (41.4%)
Nabilah Parkes 406,475 (39.5%)
2025 GA Democrats Primary
Secretary of State
Penny Brown Reynolds 434,503 (42.3%)
Dana Barrett 361,408 (35.2%)
Cam Ashling 126,338 (12.3%)
2026 GA GOP Primary
Secretary of State
Tim Fleming 331,799 (39.2%)
Vernon Jones 232,279 (27.3%)
GEORGIA HOUSE DISTRICT
GA House District 98 Democrats Primary
State House
Marvin Lim 3,739 (61.4%)
Branda Lopz Romero 1,093 (38.6%)
GA House Disrict 99 Democrats Primary
State House
Michelle Kang 3,813 (71.5%)
Shelly John Abraham 1,520 (28.5%)
GA House Disrict 99 GOP Primary
State House
Matt Reeves Uncontested
GEORGIA STATE SENATE
2026 GA District 5 Democrats Primary
State Senate
Sheikh Rahman 6,186 (54.5%)
Robin Emilia McCoy 5,166 (45.5%)
2026 GA District 7 GOP Primary
State Senate
Aizaz Shahbaz Shaikh Uncontested
2026 GA District 7 Democrats Priamry
State Senate
Ruwa Romman 6,857 (38.2%)
Rahul Garabadu 5,959 (33.2%)
2026 GA District 44 Democrats Primary
State Senate
Saira Draper 25,662 (59.2%)
Nadine Thomas 17,682 (40.8%)
2026 GA District 44 GOP Primary
Ngozi Orabueze Uncontested
