Overview of the 2026 US Primary Season

As the United States progresses towards the crucial November midterm elections, primary races across several states have concluded, offering a preliminary look at the political landscape. These elections, which determine party nominees for various offices, are often viewed as indicators of national political sentiment. A significant focus has been on the performance of candidates endorsed by former President Donald Trump, whose influence within the Republican Party remains a subject of considerable discussion. While some Trump-backed candidates secured victories, others faced defeat, presenting a mixed bag of results.

Key Outcomes in Georgia's Primary Elections

Georgia emerged as a particularly competitive battleground, drawing substantial media attention. In the Republican gubernatorial run-off, Burt Jones, who had received a year-long endorsement from Donald Trump, was defeated by billionaire Rick Jackson. Jackson's campaign was notably well-funded, with reports indicating he spent at least $100 million of his own money, significantly more than Jones's approximately $30 million. Jackson will now advance to the general election, where he is slated to face former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat, in what is anticipated to be a high-stakes contest.

Despite this setback in the gubernatorial race, Trump's influence proved effective in Georgia's Senate primary. Mike Collins, who secured Trump's endorsement just days before the ballots were cast, won the Republican Senate run-off. Collins triumphed over Derek Dooley, a former college football coach who had been endorsed by Republican Governor Brian Kemp. Collins is now poised to challenge incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in November, a race widely considered to be among the most competitive nationwide.

Alabama's Republican Primary Results

In Alabama, the primary results brought more favorable news for candidates aligned with Donald Trump. Barry Moore, a three-term congressman, secured the Republican nomination for the Senate. Moore campaigned on a platform promising to champion President Trump's 'America First' agenda. He successfully defeated former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson, who had presented himself as an outsider to Washington politics. Given Alabama's strong Republican leanings, Moore is widely expected to win the general election in November. His Democratic opponent will be lawyer Everett Wess, who emerged victorious from his party's run-off against small business owner Dakarai Larriett.

Oklahoma's Primary Races and Ballot Initiatives

Oklahoma's primary elections also put Trump's endorsement power to the test. In the Republican gubernatorial primary, Trump's late endorsement of former state Senator Mike Mazzei, made just two weeks prior to the election, helped Mazzei secure a spot in an August 25 run-off. Mazzei finished nearly even with Attorney General Gentner Drummond, indicating a closely contested race for the nomination.

In the Senate race, Republican Kevin Hern, who represents Oklahoma’s First Congressional District, achieved a decisive victory. Hern, also endorsed by President Trump, garnered 63.7 percent of the vote, significantly outpacing his four Republican challengers. The Democratic results for the Senate race are still pending. Additionally, Oklahoma voters addressed State Question 832, a ballot initiative that proposed raising the state's minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour. The measure was ultimately rejected, with over 56 percent of voters opposing it.

California's Special Election and Congressional Races

California held a special election to fill the remainder of the term for Democrat Eric Swalwell, who resigned from the House and withdrew his bid for California governor following allegations of sexual assault. Democratic state lawmaker Aisha Wahab advanced in this special election. Wahab, a state senator who focused her campaign on addressing housing costs, will proceed to an August 18 run-off to determine who will complete Swalwell's current term through January. She was one of 11 candidates on the ballot, and the second slot for the August run-off was yet to be determined. Wahab is also competing in the November run-off for the full two-year term to succeed Swalwell.

Assessment of Trump-Backed Candidates' Performance

Overall, the 2026 primary season has presented a varied picture for Republican candidates endorsed by Donald Trump. While there have been notable victories, there have also been instances where Trump's backing did not secure a win. In gubernatorial primaries specifically, Trump's endorsement record has been largely positive, with seven out of eleven backed candidates advancing to the general election. Two candidates, including Mazzei in Oklahoma and Pamela Evette in South Carolina, moved on to run-offs, while two were defeated. Prior to Jones's loss in Georgia, Trump-backed Randy Feenstra also failed to secure the Republican nomination in Iowa.

Conversely, several Trump-endorsed candidates have successfully moved forward to the general election, including Joe Lombardo in Nevada, Steve Hilton in California, Stacy Garrity in Pennsylvania, Brad Little in Idaho, Tommy Tuberville in Alabama, Jim Pillen in Nebraska, Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio, and Greg Abbott in Texas. These results underscore the complex and sometimes unpredictable nature of political endorsements and voter sentiment within the current American political climate.

Source: US primaries in Oklahoma, Georgia, others: Key takeaways from the results