Rick Jackson, a billionaire healthcare tycoon, spent over $100 million to defeat Trump-endorsed Burt Jones in the Republican runoff for Georgia governor. This rare loss for a Trump-endorsed candidate shows that even a presidential endorsement is not foolproof, especially when faced with significant financial backing.
Trump’s Endorsement Record
Trump’s endorsement was more successful in other states, with his candidate for U.S. Senate winning a runoff in Alabama and his pick for Oklahoma governor advancing to another runoff. However, his choice for governor of Iowa lost earlier this month, demonstrating that even Trump’s endorsement cannot guarantee a win.
In Georgia, Jackson will face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor, in November. The Oklahoma Republican primary for governor also tested Trump’s endorsement, with his late support for former state Sen. Mike Mazzei helping him secure a spot in a runoff.
Democratic Contests
Among Democrats, the contests highlighted longstanding divides between progressives and moderates as the party tries to chart the best path forward to November. In the District of Columbia mayor’s race, one of the leading contenders, Janeese Lewis George, describes herself as a democratic socialist, a political denomination that became more prominent with Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaigns.
In Alabama, Trump successfully backed U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, a three-term congressman who has promised to be a warrior for President Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda if elected to the Senate. Moore defeated former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson, who presented himself as a Washington outsider and tried to harness the anti-establishment fervor that propelled Trump to power to defeat Trump’s preferred candidate.
In Georgia, State Rep. Tim Fleming won the Republican nomination for Georgia secretary of state, defeating opponent Vernon Jones, who leaned more into conspiracies over Trump’s loss to Joe Biden. Fleming will face Democrat Penny Brown Reynolds, who won her party’s nomination.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
