Trump-endorsed Candidate Fails in Crucial Primary Elections
WHO:
Alternet - Rick Jackson, a billionaire and head of Jackson Healthcare, stated he rose from a foster child to a successful businessman.
Al Jazeera - Mike Collins, a Trump-backed candidate, won the Republican Senate run-off in Georgia and will face Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff.
Alternet - Rick Jackson, a wealthy businessman, won the Republican gubernatorial primary in Georgia.
Alternet - Burt Jones, the lieutenant governor, was backed by Trump and was a candidate in the gubernatorial primary.
Al Jazeera - Mike Collins, a Trump-backed candidate, won the Republican Senate run-off in Georgia.
Al Jazeera - Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor, is the Democratic candidate for governor in Georgia.
WHAT:
Alternet - Jackson claimed he spent "God's money" during his campaign and defended his spending by stating, "I did not run for governor to join their club. I ran to break up the club."
Al Jazeera - Jackson defeated Burt Jones by five points in the gubernatorial run-off.
Alternet - Rick Jackson received about 53% of the vote in the gubernatorial primary.
Alternet - Jackson and Jones together spent over $138.6 million on their campaigns, with Jackson spending nearly $108 million.
Al Jazeera - Burt Jones lost the gubernatorial run-off to Rick Jackson.
Al Jazeera - Jackson will face Keisha Lance Bottoms in the gubernatorial election in November.
WHERE:
Alternet - The gubernatorial primary took place in Georgia.
Al Jazeera - The Senate run-off in Georgia was also a significant event during the primaries.
WHEN:
Alternet - The gubernatorial primary results were called on June 16, 2026.
Al Jazeera - The gubernatorial election is scheduled for November.
WHY:
Alternet - Jones attributed his loss to being outspent by Jackson and stated, "It looked like it was coming back pretty good, but the early voting margin was just a little too much to overcome."
Alternet - Jones attributed his loss to being outspent by Jackson in a competitive race.
Alternet - Jackson claimed he ran to "break up the club" of established politicians.
HOW:
Al Jazeera - Jackson's campaign included a flashy entrance at his launch by riding down a glass elevator and releasing an ad implying he had Gov. Brian Kemp’s backing, which Kemp later denied.
Alternet - Jackson mimicked Trump's style in his campaign, including a flashy entrance at his campaign launch.
Al Jazeera - Jackson spent at least $100 million of his own money during the campaign, while Jones spent nearly $30 million in total.
(UPDATED June 17, 2026 17:58 UTC)
Mike Collins, a Trump-backed candidate, has won the Republican Senate run-off in Georgia and will face Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in the upcoming election. In another notable race, billionaire Rick Jackson, who rose from foster care to business success, defeated Burt Jones by five points in the gubernatorial run-off, claiming he spent "God's money" during his campaign and emphasizing his intent to disrupt the political establishment. Jackson's campaign featured a dramatic entrance by riding down a glass elevator and included an ad suggesting he had the support of Governor Brian Kemp, a claim that Kemp later denied.
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(UPDATED June 17, 2026 12:24 UTC)
Rick Jackson, a wealthy businessman, has won the Republican gubernatorial primary in Georgia, securing about 53% of the vote and outspending his opponent Burt Jones significantly. In another key development, Mike Collins, also backed by Trump, emerged victorious in the Republican Senate run-off in Georgia. Jackson will face off against former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in the gubernatorial election scheduled for November.