Trump-backed candidate wins primary to face Jon Ossoff in Georgia midterms – US politics live

Lead

Mike Collins, a Republican congressman endorsed by Donald Trump, won Georgia's Senate primary runoff on Tuesday, securing the party's nomination to challenge incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in November's midterm elections. In the state's gubernatorial race, healthcare executive Rick Jackson defeated Trump-backed Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, a result that underscored the mixed influence of the president's endorsements in this year's primaries.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from Al Jazeera and The Guardian described Collins's victory as a win for Trump's preferred candidate, noting that the president had made a late endorsement in the race. The Guardian highlighted that Collins, a trucking executive and self-described "freedom caucus" conservative, had served in the House since 2023 and had denied the legitimacy of the 2020 election while defending those involved in the January 6 Capitol attack. Al Jazeera reported Collins's characterization as a "true friend, fighter, and WARRIOR" in Trump's Truth Social post.

In the gubernatorial contest, both outlets reported that Jackson, a billionaire healthcare executive, had spent at least $100 million of his own money on the campaign. Al Jazeera noted that Jones had received Trump's endorsement a year earlier and that the president reiterated his support just last week, praising Jones's "Courage and Wisdom." The Guardian described the campaign as "bruising," mentioning libel litigation and federal challenges to Georgia election law.

Coverage also included primaries in Alabama and Oklahoma. Al Jazeera reported that Barry Moore, backed by Trump, won in Alabama, while Kevin Hern, also endorsed by the president, secured the Oklahoma Senate nomination. The Guardian noted that Oklahoma's gubernatorial race remained crowded, with Trump endorsing former state senator Mike Mazzei but facing several prominent Republican challengers, raising the likelihood of an August runoff.

Key Claims

• Mike Collins won the Republican Senate runoff in Georgia and will face Jon Ossoff, who has represented the state in the Senate since 2021, in November.
• Rick Jackson defeated Burt Jones in the Georgia gubernatorial runoff and will face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Atlanta mayor, in the general election.
• Barry Moore won the Alabama primary, as reported by Al Jazeera.
• Kevin Hern won the Oklahoma Senate race, according to Al Jazeera.
• Jackson spent at least $100 million of his own money on his campaign, a figure reported by both Al Jazeera and The Guardian.
• Primary elections were held in Alabama, Oklahoma, and Georgia, along with a mayoral primary in Washington, DC.