The Georgia Republican gubernatorial runoff is drawing significant attention, especially with a candidate backed by Donald Trump facing a tough challenge. In the final days before the election, Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones is trailing businessman Rick Jackson by 3 points, according to a recent InsiderAdvantage poll. This survey reflects a noticeable tightening in the race, marking it as high-stakes for both candidates.
Beyond the borders of Georgia, the runoff serves as a measure of Trump’s influence on Republican voters. Should Jones lose, it could suggest that Trump’s endorsements are less impactful in competitive statewide races. This contest also highlights the divisions within the Georgia GOP. While Jones entered the race as Trump’s favored candidate, Jackson has capitalized on significant campaign spending, positioning himself as an outsider against the Republican establishment.
Observing Georgia’s political landscape, analysts consider the state a competitive battleground through 2026 and beyond. Thus, the outcome of this election might reveal which figures hold sway over Republican voters.
Poll Shows Race Tightening Ahead of Runoff
The InsiderAdvantage poll surveyed 800 likely voters between June 13 and 14. It revealed Jackson leading Jones 49 percent to 46 percent, with a 5 percent undecided voter margin. This poll has a margin of error of 3.31 percentage points. The pollster plans to release another survey before the runoff, especially after Georgia Governor Brian Kemp endorsed Jones. Kemp’s support could significantly impact the close race, given his popularity among Georgia Republicans.
Neither candidate secured a majority in last month’s primary, prompting the runoff. Jones garnered approximately 38 percent of the vote, while Jackson received around 33 percent. The latest poll indicates momentum has shifted towards Jackson since the late-May InsiderAdvantage poll showed Jones with 48 percent support compared to Jackson’s 42 percent. Jackson’s lead can be attributed to his extensive self-funded campaign. Politico reported Jackson spent around $100 million of his own money, making this one of the most expensive gubernatorial primaries on record.
These developments are occurring alongside broader Republican dynamics in Georgia. Kemp’s endorsement of Senate candidate Derek Dooley puts him at odds with Trump’s endorsement of Mike Collins, making this race a test of competing GOP power dynamics.
Until recently, Trump had an unbeaten endorsement record. According to a New York Post tally, Trump-backed candidates won all 118 Republican gubernatorial, House, and Senate primaries through May. However, Trump’s streak ended when Randy Feenstra, the candidate favored by Trump in Iowa, was defeated. This indicates that while presidential backing is influential, it is not always decisive.
What Happens Next
The Georgia GOP runoff will take place on Tuesday. The winner will compete against Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms in the November general election.
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