The Republican primaries for Senate in Georgia and Alabama are heading to runoffs next month after no candidate took a majority of the vote in Tuesday’s respective primaries.
In the Republican race in Georgia to take on Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, Rep. Mike Collins and former football coach Derek Dooley each secured spots on the June 16 ballot, according to The Associated Press. A little after 11:30 p.m. Eastern time, Collins was leading with 40.5 percent of the vote to 30 percent for Dooley, while Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter trailed in third place with about 25 percent.
President Donald Trump has not publicly endorsed a candidate in the race. Dooley, a political newcomer who has emphasized his outsider status, has the backing of outgoing Gov. Brian Kemp, who rebuffed party attempts to join the race. Collins, the son of the late Republican Rep. Mac Collins, is the founder of a trucking company and is currently serving his second term in the House.
Ossoff is the chamber’s most vulnerable Democrat, though his towering fundraising advantage has fueled Democrats’ confidence that he can withstand an onslaught of GOP attacks.
Trump carried Georgia by about 2 points in 2024, four years after Joe Biden won the state by less than a quarter of a percentage point. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates this year’s Senate race a Toss-up.
In Alabama, Rep. Barry Moore advanced Tuesday to a June 16 Republican runoff for the state’s open Senate seat, securing the most votes in a six-way Republican primary.
Moore had just under 40 percent of the vote shortly after 11:30 p.m. Eastern time, while state Attorney General Steve Marshall and former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson fought for the second-place position in the race to succeed Sen. Tommy Tuberville.
Tuberville easily secured the Republican nomination for governor Tuesday and will next meet his Senate predecessor, Democrat Doug Jones, in November.
Moore established himself as a front-runner in the Republican Senate contest after securing a Trump endorsement, which he made a focal point of his campaign. But polls leading up to Tuesday’s election showed a high number of undecided voters.
Meanwhile, Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr easily won the Republican nomination for the seat of retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell, the former longtime GOP leader in the chamber. Barr was leading former state Attorney General Daniel Cameron, 60.5 percent to 31 percent, shortly before midnight, according to the AP.
Barr will next face former state Rep. Charles Booker, who prevailed in a crowded Democratic primary that included retired Marine and 2020 Senate nominee Amy McGrath and state House Minority Leader Pamela Stevenson.
