{"id":2603410,"date":"2026-05-16T06:09:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T10:09:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/what-to-know-about-georgias-primary-elections\/"},"modified":"2026-05-16T06:13:47","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T10:13:47","slug":"what-to-know-about-georgias-primary-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/what-to-know-about-georgias-primary-elections\/","title":{"rendered":"What to know about Georgia&#8217;s primary elections\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwhat-to-know-about-georgias-primary-elections%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2603410&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Georgia voters are heading into a highly competitive May 19 primary cycle, with races for governor, a key Senate seat, 13 House seats, and state legislative contests that could influence the state\u2019s politics for years. Georgia remains a major battleground: Republicans still hold most statewide offices and control the General Assembly, but Democrats have gained ground in federal races, winning two Senate seats since 2020 and tightening margins in suburban areas around Atlanta.<\/p>\n<p>The elections come amid renewed national debates over redistricting and voting rights following Supreme Court rulings that affect congressional map-making. Complex by Georgia\u2019s runoff system-where candidates must win a majority to avoid a June 16 runoff-multiple primaries could extend into summer. Voting is open to voters irrespective of party affiliation, with early voting running April 27-May 15 and polling on May 19 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.<\/p>\n<p>**Senate:** The top federal contest is Sen.Jon Ossoff (D-GA) running for reelection, viewed by Republicans as their best pickup possibility as Democrats are defending a seat in a state Trump flipped in 2024. Ossoff faces no primary opponent,and has a large cash advantage.The GOP primary is crowded and unsettled, with multiple candidates close to one another in polls, raising the likelihood of a June runoff if no one clears 50%. Trump has not yet endorsed in the primary, but an endorsement could influence the outcome.<\/p>\n<p>**House:** Much of Georgia\u2019s congressional map remains favorable to Republicans, though the exact degree depends on whether Gov. Brian Kemp pursues new redistricting. Several districts-especially in metro Atlanta and southwest Georgia-could be consequential. Many seats are rated \u201csolid\u201d by the Cook Political Report, but open or contested races include Georgia\u2019s 1st district (Carter to Senate) and the 10th District (open after Collins\u2019s Senate run). Trump\u2019s endorsement is highlighted as potentially decisive in some contests, while fundraising and district ratings suggest flips are unlikely in most places.<\/p>\n<p>**Governor:** With Kemp term-limited, the governor\u2019s race is expected to be costly and competitive. The GOP field includes several Trump-aligned and establishment figures, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >reflecting deep internal splits<\/a> in the Georgia GOP. The contest has been rated a toss-up, and may well force a runoff. Democrats see the open seat as a real statewide opportunity; former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is leading in the Democratic primary, though the article suggests her odds against the front-running GOP candidates are less favorable.<\/p>\n<p>**State legislature and courts:** All 56 state Senate seats and 180 House seats are on the ballot.Republicans are favored to keep control of both chambers, though Democrats are targeting suburban districts near Atlanta where demographic change has weakened GOP margins over the past decade. Democrats would likely struggle to gain enough seats to control both chambers. The cycle also features unusually prominent judicial races, including contested Georgia Supreme Court elections.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/georgia\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"164\">Georgia<\/a> voters are heading into one of the country\u2019s most closely watched primary cycles, with competitive races for governor, one of its <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8765\">Senate<\/a> seats, 13 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11272\">House<\/a> seats, and a series of legislative battles that could shape the state\u2019s political direction for years. <\/p>\n<p>The May 19 primaries come as Georgia remains one of the nation\u2019s premier battleground states. Republicans still dominate statewide offices and the General Assembly, but Democrats have proven competitive in federal races, winning two Senate seats since 2020 and narrowing margins in suburban <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/atlanta\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1447\">Atlanta<\/a>. <\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4569842\/steve-hilton-becerra-california-governor-debate\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Steve Hilton tells Becerra to prepare \u2018criminal defense\u2019 over ex-aide\u2019s corruption case<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4569398\/erin-stewart-connecticut-governor-fraud\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Connecticut GOP governor candidate drops out after fraud allegations emerge<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4569619\/newsom-says-redistricting-is-jim-crow-2-0\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Newsom says redistricting is \u2018Jim Crow 2.0\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>The elections also arrive amid renewed national fights over redistricting and voting rights following recent Supreme Court rulings that loosened restrictions on congressional map-making. <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Georgia\u2019s runoff system adds another layer of uncertainty. Candidates must win a majority of votes to avoid a June 16 runoff, meaning several crowded primaries could stretch deeper into summer. <\/p>\n<p>Voters are eligible to participate in Georgia\u2019s primary elections regardless of party affiliation. Early voting began April 27 and will continue until May 15. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 19 for voters to cast their ballots. <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-senate\">Senate<\/h2>\n<p>The marquee federal contest is the reelection campaign of Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jon-ossoff\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3194\">Jon Ossoff<\/a> (D-GA), whose seat is viewed as Republicans\u2019 prime pickup opportunity.<\/p>\n<p>Georgia is one of the only states where Democrats are defending a Senate seat in a state President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> flipped in 2024. <\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cookpolitical.com\/ratings\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.cookpolitical.com\/ratings\">Cook Political Report<\/a> initially rated the race a toss-up, but changed its label to \u201cleans Democrat,\u201d signaling the tide is turning in Ossoff\u2019s favor. <\/p>\n<p>Ossoff won\u2019t face any challengers in the primary election, and started the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democratic-fundraising-powerhouse-actblue-amassed-nearly-150-million-from-small-donors-with-misleading-sales-pitch-documents-show\/\" title=\"Democratic ... Powerhouse ActBlue Amassed Nearly 0 Million From Small Donors With Misleading Sales Pitch, Documents Show\">midterm election season<\/a> with over $25.5 million in cash on hand. At the end of March, his cash on hand jumped to $31.7 million, according <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fec.gov\/data\/candidate\/S8GA00180\/?cycle=2026&#038;election_full=false\">to FEC filings<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>The Republican primary field is far more complicated. Vying for the GOP candidacy are Reps. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/buddy-carter\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"17646\">Buddy Carter<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-collins\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"17647\">Mike Collins<\/a>, as well as former Tennessee football coach <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/derek-dooley\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"17648\">Derek Dooley<\/a> and defense contractor Jonathan McColumn.<\/p>\n<p>A clear GOP front-runner has yet to emerge, setting the stage for a messy runoff in June if one can\u2019t clear 50% of the vote. Most polls put Collins in the lead, but Carter and Dooley are not far behind. <\/p>\n<p>Ossoff\u2019s wallet dwarfs those of his GOP competition, as Collins, Carter, and Dooley combined don\u2019t even have half of their Democrat opponent\u2019s cash on hand. <\/p>\n<p>CPR analysis said that even if Republicans sort out the mess in the primary, \u201cthere\u2019s little doubt that Ossoff currently has the advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Trump has yet to endorse a candidate in the primary, but his backing could move the needle for a GOP candidate. <\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4460164\/trump-endorsement-tracker-gop-2026-election-primaries\/\"><strong>TRUMP ENDORSEMENT TRACKER: HERE\u2019S WHO THE PRESIDENT HAS PICKED IN GOP MIDTERM ELECTION PRIMARIES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/brian-kemp\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3312\">Brian Kemp<\/a> endorsed Dooley, but Trump\u2019s endorsement powers have proven successful. The president backed former district attorney Clay Fuller in a special election to replace former Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marjorie-taylor-greene\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"776\">Marjorie Taylor Greene<\/a>, and Fuller won in a runoff. <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-house-nbsp\">House <\/h2>\n<p>Georgia\u2019s congressional map is expected to remain largely favorable to Republicans in 2026. Exactly how favorable depends on whether Kemp moves forward with drawing a new map that would likely give the GOP additional seats, but the governor has not said whether he plans to pursue <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/redistricting\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"241\">redistricting<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>As the map is drawn now, most districts are relatively stable, labeled either \u201csolid R\u201d or \u201csolid D\u201d by CPR. But several House contests, particularly in metro Atlanta and the southwest region, could shape the state\u2019s political direction ahead of November. <\/p>\n<p>In Georgia\u2019s 1st District, the race is open as Carter has his sights set on a Senate seat. The district that includes Savannah is rated solid Republican by CPR, and there is a wide field of candidates vying for the candidacy on both sides. <\/p>\n<p>Republican Kandiss Taylor has filed to run for the seat, but her past political runs have led operatives to rule her out as a serious candidate. <\/p>\n<p>Other GOP candidates include James Kingston, Patrick Farrell, Brian Montgomery, Krista Penn, and Eugene Yu. Kingston is leading on the fundraising front, with roughly $950,000 in cash on hand, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fec.gov\/data\/elections\/house\/GA\/01\/2026\/\">according to FEC filings, <\/a>and has the backing of Trump. <\/p>\n<p>On the other side of the aisle, candidates looking to come out on top in the Democratic primary include Defonsio Daniels, Joyce Marie Griggs, Amanda Hollowell, Michael McCord, Joey Palimeno, Sharon Stokes Williamson, Patrick Wilver, and Randy Zurcher.<\/p>\n<p>Georgia\u2019s 2nd Congressional District is rated solid Democrat by CPR, and Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) is seeking reelection. <\/p>\n<p>Bishop stands on solid ground thanks to his influence as ranking member on several House committees focused on food and agriculture, and his district is known for peanut production, making him an \u201cinvaluable ally to the industry,\u201d CPR said. <\/p>\n<p>Rep. Brian Jack (R-GA) is seeking reelection in the 3rd Congressional District, one that is rated solid Republican by CPR. Jack is not likely to face trouble keeping his seat, as he previously served as Trump\u2019s political director and has ties to influential organizations, positioning him for a November win in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/huge-win-for-trump-judge-swiftly-dismisses-lawsuit-against-him-rules-plaintiffs-have-no-standing\/\" title=\"... wins big: Judge quickly dismisses lawsuit, rules plaintiffs have no standing.\">deep-red district<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>The same can be said of Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hank-johnson\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1233\">Hank Johnson<\/a> (D-GA), who is running for reelection in the solid Democrat 4th District. Johnson has \u201cno risk of losing a primary or general election,\u201d CPR said. <\/p>\n<p>Georgia\u2019s 5th Congressional District, which includes Atlanta, is another safe seat for Democrats as Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA) seeks reelection. Williams is the overwhelming favorite to win another term representing the Atlanta district, and faces only one primary competitor, Arnetress Beatty, who has never <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-president-trump-gives-pardons-to-73-individuals-and-commutes-another-70-sentences-steve-bannon-is-included\/\" title=\"BREAKING: President ... Gives Pardons to 73 Individuals and Commutes Another 70 ...tences \u2013 Steve Bannon Is Included\">held public office<\/a>, according to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ajc.com\/politics\/2026\/04\/us-house-district-5-williams-dominates-atlanta-re-election-race\/\"><em>Atlanta Journal-Constitution<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The Western Atlanta Suburbs, which comprises the 6th Congressional District, is also rated solid Democratic and is held by Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA). McBath was eyeing a gubernatorial bid but chose to seek reelection and is likely to win in the primary and general elections, according to CPR. <\/p>\n<p>Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) was looking to launch a Senate bid, but instead will seek reelection in Georgia\u2019s 6th District, which is located north of Atlanta. The district is rated solid Republican, and despite McCormick receiving backlash for his staunch support of Trump politics, endorsing Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-GL) over Trump in 2024, and a public affair, the congressman faces no GOP challengers. <\/p>\n<p>McCormick\u2019s seat was flipped in 2020 when he lost to Carolyn Bourdeaux. An ugly clash with McBath and redistricting shifted the district to a friendlier GOP crowd, allowing McCormick to get his seat back, and he\u2019s likely to keep it this cycle.   <\/p>\n<p>Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) is running for reelection in Georgia\u2019s solid Republican 8th Congressional District and faces no primary competitors, setting him up for a likely general election win. <\/p>\n<p>Georgia\u2019s 9th Congressional District is also rated solid Republican by CPR, but Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) faces stiff competition from a challenger. <\/p>\n<p>Gainesville Mayor Sam Couvillon has already outraised Clyde ahead of the Republican primary, and his mayoral background could be worrying for Clyde. Redistricting shifted Clyde\u2019s voter base from people who aligned with his gun-toting brand to residents who view guns and election denialism as abnormal. <\/p>\n<p>The seat isn\u2019t likely to flip, but it will give an indication of where the GOP voters are looking for the party to go. <\/p>\n<p>Rep. Mike Collins\u2019s run for Senate has left the race for Georgia\u2019s 10th Congressional District open. Three Republicans and three Democrats are vying for the seat now, but only one has a Trump endorsement that could decide the victor.<\/p>\n<p>Trump endorsed state Rep. Houston Gaines for Collins\u2019s seat over GOP candidates Jeff Baker and Ryan Millsap. The Republican candidates have all significantly out fundraised any Democrats, and combined with the CPR rating of solid Republican, makes the seat unlikely to flip. <\/p>\n<p>The Democrats running for Collins\u2019s seat are retired Army nurse colonel Pamela DeLancy, former Collins challenger Lexy Doherty, and John Dority, who doesn\u2019t have a campaign website. <\/p>\n<p>In Georgia\u2019s 12th Congressional District, Rep. Rick Allen is running for reelection. The district is rated solid Republican by CPR, and he is unlikely to lose his seat. Allen has not faced a \u201creal race\u201d since 2014 when he unseated the state\u2019s last conservative Democrat in 2014. <\/p>\n<p>Rep. David Scott was seeking reelection in the 13th District, but he died in late April. Scott\u2019s death has left the race for the solid Democrat seat open. The <em>Atlanta Journal-Constitution<\/em> predicted the race will likely be decided in a runoff election on June 16.<\/p>\n<p>Republican Jonathan James Chavez is the lone GOP candidate, and there are six Democrats running: Everton Blair Jr., state Rep. Jasmine Clark, state Sen. Emanuel Jones, Joe Lester, Heavenly Kimes, and Jeffree Fauntleroy Sr.<\/p>\n<p>Georgia\u2019s 14th Congressional District held a special election this year, which Fuller won. <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-governor\">Governor<\/h2>\n<p>With Kemp term-limited, Republicans are facing a crowded and potentially bruising primary for governor. The race has been rated a toss-up by CPR. <\/p>\n<p>The GOP field includes Trump-back Lt. Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/burt-jones\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"21409\">Burt Jones<\/a>, Secretary of State <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/brad-raffensperger\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2607\">Brad Raffensperger<\/a>, and Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chris-carr\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"21410\">Chris Carr<\/a>. Healthcare executive Rick Jackson also entered the race late, adding another wild card to an already fragmented field. <\/p>\n<p>The Republican primary reflects the broader divide inside the Georgia GOP between more traditional conservatives and candidates closely aligned with Trump\u2019s political movement. <\/p>\n<p>Jones has leaned heavily into Trump\u2019s messaging, while Raffensperger continues to campaign on his national profile after resisting pressure to overturn Georgia\u2019s 2020 election results. Carr has attempted to position himself as a traditional conservative focused on law-and-order issues. <\/p>\n<p>Campaign finance reports show the race already becoming one of the most expensive gubernatorial primaries in Georgia history. Carr and Jones both reported multimillion-dollar fundraising hauls, while Raffensperger entered the cycle with significant leftover campaign funds from prior statewide races. <\/p>\n<p>CPR reported from Georgia sources that the race is a toss-up between Jones and Jackson, setting the stage for an almost assured June 16 runoff. <\/p>\n<p>Democrats view the open-seat contest as one of their better statewide opportunities in years, though the party still faces structural disadvantages in turnout during nonpresidential elections. Georgia Democrats hope for continued population growth in metro Atlanta, and gains among younger and minority voters could narrow the gap. <\/p>\n<p>Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is dominating the Democratic field, polling ahead of her competitors, former DeKalb County Chief Executive Michael Thurmond, former state Sen. Jason Esteves, and former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan. <\/p>\n<p>While Bottoms is more than likely to secure the Democratic nomination, her chances of beating Jackson or Jones don\u2019t seem likely. <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-state-legislature\">State legislature<\/h2>\n<p>All 56 Georgia Senate seats and all 180 Georgia House seats are on the ballot, though <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republicans\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"240\">Republicans<\/a> remain favored to maintain control of both chambers.<\/p>\n<p>Republicans control 99 seats in the state\u2019s House and 33 seats in the Senate. <\/p>\n<p>Democrats are focused heavily on suburban districts around Atlanta, where demographic changes have steadily eroded Republican margins over the last decade. Legislative Democrats believe continued shifts among <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/michele-tafoya-weighs-minnesota-senate-bid-amid-past-trump-criticism\/\" title=\"Michele Tafoya weighs Minnesota ... amid past ... criticism\">college-educated suburban voters<\/a> could make several seats competitive. <\/p>\n<p>Democrats would need to gain 10 seats to gain control of the House and seven in the Senate, making it unlikely they\u2019ll be able to accomplish both this election cycle. <\/p>\n<p>Republicans, meanwhile, are defending their legislative majority while trying to maintain strong support in rural areas and outer-ring suburbs. The GOP also continues to benefit from district lines drawn after the 2020 census. <\/p>\n<p>According to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ajc.com\/politics\/2026\/04\/democrats-want-to-flip-the-georgia-legislature-the-primary-offers-a-preview\/\"><em>Atlanta Journal-Constitution<\/em><\/a>, the state\u2019s competitive House seats won\u2019t heat up until November when Democrats and Republicans face off. <\/p>\n<p>The Republican stronghold is tighter in the state Senate, with their biggest risk in the district that includes Fulton County, where GOP state Sen. Shawn Still is seeking reelection. Still has two Democrats looking to challenge him, one of whom, Laura Murvartian, has experience challenging state Rep. Scott Hilton. <\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4538440\/by-the-numbers-how-many-seats-has-each-party-gained\/\"><strong>BY THE NUMBERS: HOW MANY SEATS HAS EACH PARTY GAINED IN REDISTRICTING?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Judicial races are also drawing unusual attention this cycle, including contested Georgia Supreme Court elections that have become increasingly politicized as courts play larger roles in redistricting cases. <\/p>\n<p>Five candidates are running for three seats on the state\u2019s high court in a nonpartisan election. Of the candidates running, three are incumbents seeking to retain their seats.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Georgia voters face a highly watched primary cycle with major races that could shape the state\u2019s politics for years-May 19<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2603411,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-collage-cx5ugmlsa-1778612002413-e1778612334569.jpg?1778597924&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4506,34069,4977,38090,4351],"class_list":["post-2603410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-4506","tag-election-news","tag-georgia","tag-primary-elections","tag-voting"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-collage-cx5ugmlsa-1778612002413-e1778612334569.jpg?1778597924&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2603410"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603410\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2603414,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603410\/revisions\/2603414"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2603411"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2603410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2603410"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2603410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}