Trump isn’t on the ballot in Georgia, but he could decide Tuesday’s races

The Atlanta Press Club Republican primary debate for U.S. Senate last month was filled with the presence of former President Donald Trump, despite his absence. The candidates, U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter and U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, both emphasized their commitment to Trump’s ‘America First’ policies in their opening statements. The race for the Senate seat in Georgia is expected to be highly competitive, with Trump yet to endorse a candidate.

Incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff is facing a tough re-election campaign, with the primary potentially deciding who will challenge him in November. Meanwhile, Republican Governor Brian Kemp has thrown his support behind former college football coach Derek Dooley, a political outsider running for the Senate seat.

Kemp’s relationship with Trump has been rocky, but he remains popular among Georgians. The primary races in Georgia will test Kemp’s political power, as he has not ruled out a potential presidential run in 2028. In the race to replace Kemp as governor, the endorsement of Lt. Governor Burt Jones by Trump has set the stage for a competitive battle against businessman Rick Jackson.

On the Democratic side, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is running for governor to stand up to Trump’s policies, rather than emulate them. Endorsed by former President Joe Biden, Bottoms is considered a frontrunner in the primary race, but may face a runoff if she does not receive 50% of the vote.

With so many well-known contenders in the race, runoffs may be likely on both sides of the aisle in Georgia this year. The influence of Trump and the direction of the Republican Party are key themes in the primary races, setting the stage for a high-stakes election in the state.