Jones and Jackson to Face Off in Georgia Republican Primary Runoff

The Georgia Republican Primary Runoff

Burt Jones and Rick Jackson have advanced to a runoff in Georgia's Republican primary for governor, extending a bruising fight over who will represent the party in November's midterm election.

Jones, Georgia's lieutenant governor, and Jackson, a healthcare billionaire, will face each other again in the June 16 runoff after neither secured enough support to win the nomination outright following voting on Tuesday.

The Candidates' Backgrounds

The winner will seek to replace Republican Governor Brian Kemp, who is barred by term limits from running again.

US President Donald Trump endorsed Jones last year, and Jones thanked him on Tuesday night. A victory for Jones would strengthen Trump's influence in Georgia, a key battleground state where his record as a political kingmaker has been mixed.

The Democratic Field

Democrats are also choosing their nominee as they try to win the governor's office for the first time since 1998.

The Democratic field includes former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Republican Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, former state Senator Jason Esteves and former state labor commissioner Mike Thurmond.

Other Key Races

Separately, Democrat Jasmine Clark won her party's nomination on Tuesday to succeed late Representative David Scott in Georgia's 13th Congressional District after Scott died in April while seeking another term.

Clark, a state representative, microbiologist and lecturer at Emory University, has pledged to prioritize science policy in Congress.

Millions Poured into Georgia Governor Race

More than $125m has been spent on advertising in the Republican primary for Georgia governor, with more than $66m of that spent by Jackson's campaign, according to the latest figures from advertising-tracking firm AdImpact.

By contrast, Democrats running for governor have only spent about $4m.