What to Watch in Tuesday’s Primaries in Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma and Washington, DC
Georgia: Senate and Governor Runoffs
What to watch in Tuesday s primaries – Four years after Governor Brian Kemp defied President Donald Trump’s attempt to remove him from office in a Republican primary, the state faces another pivotal moment. Tuesday’s elections will determine the Republican nominee for Senate, where Kemp’s chosen candidate may struggle to replicate his earlier success. Voters in Georgia are casting ballots in two critical races: one to select the GOP opponent for Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, a potential 2028 presidential hopeful, and another to choose a governor’s contender, with Trump and Kemp united in supporting Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. However, Jones faces challenges from businessman Rick Jackson, who performed better in urban and suburban areas. The outcome of this race could shape the November matchup against Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Washington, DC: Mayor’s Race and Delegate Seat
With outgoing Mayor Muriel Bowser stepping down after three terms, Washington, DC, will hold its first ranked-choice primary for mayor since 2018. Seven candidates are vying for the role, including Ward 4 Councilwoman Janeese Lewis George and former At-Large Councilman Kenyan McDuffie. The system could extend results if no candidate secures over 50% of the vote, potentially delaying the announcement. McDuffie, backed by two former mayors and two Democratic National Committee chairmen, is viewed as a moderate, while Lewis George aligns with democratic socialist ideals and has support from local labor unions. A win for Lewis George might signal a shift toward progressive leadership in major cities, joining Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman’s campaign against Mayor Karen Bass. Meanwhile, voters will also elect a successor for Eleanor Holmes Norton, DC’s long-serving non-voting delegate, with five Democrats in the race.
Alabama and Oklahoma: Testing Deep-Red Loyalty
In Alabama, Republican voters are deciding the Senate nominee in a race between Trump-endorsed Rep. Barry Moore and former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson. This contest highlights the state’s alignment with conservative values, as Moore and Hudson represent competing factions within the GOP. Similarly, Oklahoma’s primaries will shape candidates for key races, testing the party’s strength in a state often considered a Republican stronghold. The results could influence the broader national landscape, particularly as voters in these states weigh their support against the backdrop of the presidential election.
California Congressional District: A Vacancy to Fill
A single California congressional district’s primary race could decide the next representative in a district where the current seat is vacant. The contest, though less prominent than others, remains significant as it may set the stage for a potential shift in regional representation. This race adds to the day’s events, which also include the selection of a new mayor in Washington, DC, and key matchups in Georgia and Alabama.
“maybe would take back Washington, run it on the federal basis”
Trump’s remarks about intervening in DC’s affairs, should Janeese Lewis George emerge as the next mayor, underscore the political tensions between the former president and the city’s Democratic majority. The new leader will inherit the challenge of managing relationships with a resident who remains a polarizing figure. In Georgia, the Senate primary’s outcome hinges on the support of conservative voters in rural southeastern counties, where Rep. Buddy Carter, though not advancing to the runoff, drew strong backing. This dynamic continues to fuel the rivalry between Trump and Kemp, whose ideological clash dates back to the 2020 election. Trump’s failed effort to unseat Kemp in 2022, using former Senator David Perdue as a proxy, has only deepened their contest for influence in the state’s GOP. As November approaches, the stakes for these races grow, with economic concerns potentially reshaping voter priorities.
