Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election are casting a shadow over Georgia’s GOP runoffs

Donald Trump's persistent false claims about the 2020 election are significantly impacting Georgia's Republican Party runoffs for governor, secretary of state, and U.S. Senate. Candidates aligned with Trump's election conspiracies, including an alternate elector and a congressman who echoed these claims, performed well in the primaries. Conversely, those who resisted Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 results were unsuccessful. The ongoing focus on election integrity, particularly concerning Fulton County, continues to be a central theme. While embracing Trump's narrative appears beneficial within the GOP, some Republicans worry it could alienate general election voters.

Georgia's Republican gubernatorial primary will head to a June runoff between Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and healthcare billionaire Rick Jackson, excluding Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. In the Democratic gubernatorial primary, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms secured the nomination outright. The Republican race to challenge incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff also requires a runoff between Mike Collins and Derek Dooley. Meanwhile, two Georgia Supreme Court justices won re-election against Democratic-backed challengers in nonpartisan judicial elections. The gubernatorial races are highly competitive in the swing state of Georgia, with significant spending from Republican candidates.

Kentucky voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, May 19th, for primary elections. Two Republican races are drawing national attention: the US Senate primary and the contest for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District. In the 4th District, incumbent Congressman Thomas Massie faces a challenge from Ed Gallrein, who is endorsed by Donald Trump, making the race a test of Trump's influence within the Republican Party. The Senate primary is for the seat vacated by Mitch McConnell, with US Representative Andy Barr and former Attorney General Daniel Cameron among the Republican candidates. Voters will also decide on various state legislative and local races.

Maine Governor Janet Mills has withdrawn from the US Senate race just weeks before the Democratic primary. Mills cited a lack of financial resources as the reason for her decision, despite having the drive and experience for the campaign. She was considered a strong Democratic recruit aiming to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins. However, Mills faced challenges in the primary against opponent Graham Platner, whose past controversies did not significantly hinder his popularity. Her withdrawal highlights an internal party debate on strategies to win competitive Senate seats and regain power in Washington.

Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie faces a surprisingly competitive primary challenge in his district, potentially testing Donald Trump's influence within the party. Polls show Massie leading challenger Ed Gallrein, but with a narrower margin than expected. This race is seen as a bellwether for how Republican voters will reconcile their support for Trump with their conservative principles, especially given Massie's past clashes with Trump over fiscal policy and foreign intervention. Trump has publicly endorsed Gallrein, despite previously supporting Massie. The outcome could indicate shifts in Republican voter allegiances and the strength of Trump's endorsements.