Primary Results in Alabama, Georgia and Oklahoma
June 17, 2026 · 10:05 AM EDT
By Nicholas Demba, Jacob Rubashkin & Nathan L. Gonzales
Another Tuesday, another set of primary elections as voters in Alabama, Georgia and Oklahoma select nominees for key general election contests. Whether it’s setting the stage for important general election races or places where nominees will be prohibitive favorites, here are some key results.
Alabama Senate. Rep. Barry Moore won the GOP runoff against retired Navy SEAL Jared Hudson, 56-44 percent, and is favored to win in November. It’s been a bumpy path for House members trying to make the jump statewide, but Moore was able to prevail, with help from President Donald Trump’s endorsement. This is the race to succeed GOP Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor. Solid Republican.
Georgia Senate. While former Tennessee Volunteers football coach Derek Dooley had the strong backing of Gov. Brian Kemp, President Donald Trump’s 11th hour decision to back Rep. Mike Collins on Sunday may have been the nail in the coffin for the political novice. Collins defeated Dooley 55 percent to 45 percent and is now set to face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November. This is still a top GOP pickup opportunity, though Ossoff will be difficult to defeat in this political environment. Toss-up.
Georgia Governor. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms avoided a runoff in the Democratic primary last month but Georgia Republicans had to deal with another four weeks of bitter infighting. Ultimately, billionaire health care executive Rick Jackson toppled Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones with 53 percent of the vote. Like the Senate primary, this race was thrown a last-minute curveball on Sunday when Gov. Brian Kemp endorsed Jones. The contest became the third-most expensive gubernatorial primary on record, per AdImpact, with Jackson spending more than $100 million of his own money on his campaign. The race is expected to be highly competitive in the fall. Tilt Republican.
Georgia’s 11th District. In a rare Republican primary contest where President Trump declined to weigh in, neurosurgeon John Cowan (65 percent) easily defeated former congressional aide Rob Adkerson (35 percent). Cowan outspent Adkerson, bolstered by $1.6 million he loaned to his campaign. Six years after Cowan lost a GOP primary to Marjorie Taylor Greene in the 14th District, he will be a heavy favorite to succeed outgoing Rep. Barry Loudermilk this November. Solid Republican.
Oklahoma Senate. Rep. Kevin Hern won the GOP primary with nearly 70 percent and is the heavy favorite in the November general election. The race is to succeed Sen. Alan Armstrong, who is filling the remainder of the term of former Sen. Markwayne Mullin, now in Trump’s cabinet. N'Kiyla Thomas (44 percent) looks headed for a runoff with minister and nonprofit leader Jim Priest. A non-incumbent Democrat hasn’t won a Senate race in Oklahoma since 1978. Solid Republican.
Oklahoma Governor. State Attorney General Gentner Drummond (25.7 percent) and former state Sen. Mike Mazzei (25.2 percent) are locked in a close race for the GOP nomination that looks poised to go to an August 25 runoff (Trump had endorsed Mazzei). State Rep. Cyndi Munson won the Democratic primary with 75 percent in a race that some Democrats believe could develop into a sleeper pickup opportunity. Solid Republican.
Oklahoma’s 1st District. State Rep. Mark Tedford (32 percent) and Trump-endorsed pastor Jackson Lahmeyer (26 percent) are advancing to the August runoff. Tulsa School Board Member John Croisant, the Democratic nominee, is the underdog in the general election in the race to succeed Republican Kevin Hern, who is running for the Senate. Solid Republican.
Oklahoma’s 5th District. Ironworker Trey Martin was working with some of the same consultants behind Nebraska independent Dan Osborn, Maine Democrat Graham Platner, and several other blue-collar candidates who have captured national attention. But he lost the Democratic primary, 57-43 percent, to teacher Jena Nelson. GOP Rep. Stephanie Bice is favored to win re-election. Solid Republican.
California’s 14th District Special. Democratic state Sen. Aisha Wahab is moving on to the August 18 special general election. She's at 42 percent in the all-party special primary with 82 percent of the estimated vote counted. The AP hasn't called the second spot yet. BART Board member Melissa Hernandez (17 percent) and attorney Rakhi Singh (13 percent), both Democrats, are currently in second and third place. Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell resigned from this seat. Solid Democratic.