Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger lost the Republican primary for governor on May 19. MAGA billionaire Rick Jackson and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones advanced to a runoff. The outcome highlights President Donald Trump’s influence in the party.
Raffensperger rose to prominence by defending Georgia’s 2020 election results but failed to connect with the state’s increasingly MAGA-aligned Republican voters. Jackson, a political newcomer who spent nearly $65 million of his own money, and Jones, who holds Trump’s endorsement, will face off in the runoff. The contest has already seen heavy spending, with Jones disbursing over $28 million.