Trump Endorsements On the Line Again in High-Stakes Elections

Decision desk sums up the contests going on today:

Republicans have competitive primary runoffs to decide U.S. Senate nominees in Georgia and Alabama. The Georgia winner will face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in the fall, while the Alabama victor will be a heavy favorite to be the solidly Republican state’s next senator. The GOP also has very close gubernatorial nomination contests in Georgia and Oklahoma. In Georgia, the primary runoff looks to be on a knife’s edge, while the Oklahoma primary looks certain to go to a runoff — but which two candidates will advance? Democrats have a competitive primary for mayor in the District of Columbia. The contest has two leading candidates, with the winner almost certain to become the dark-blue city’s next leader (Decision Desk).

In the Georgia Senate for the GOP, voters will choose between Mike Collins and Derek Dooley (NBC).

Trump has endorsed Collins. In the Alabama Senate runoff, GOP voters will choose between Rep. Barry Moore and former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson. Trump has endorsed Barry Moore (NYTimes).

TRUMP: It is my Great Honor to endorse “MAGA” Mike Collins, a Highly Respected Congressman who has been with me from the very… pic.twitter.com/FYIgjLaCL7

— Trump Truths (@trumptruthsbot) June 15, 2026

In the Oklahoma race for the GOP nomination for the seat vacated by now DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Sean Buckner, Gary England, Nick Hankins, Kevin and Brian Ragain (Ballotopedia).

In this race: Mr. Trump endorsed Mr. Hern, who was first elected to the House in 2018 after a career as a McDonald’s franchisee, calling him “a true friend of MAGA” in a social media post on Friday night (New York Times).

Also: California is holding a special election to fill the seat vacated by scandal-plagued Eric Swalwell (270 to Win).

Democracy ’26: Live primary results from DC, Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma and California

By: FOX News, June 16, 2026:

Voters in Washington, D.C., Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma and California’s 14th District head to the polls Tuesday for key 2026 primary elections

that will help shape the battle for control of Congress, governor’s mansions and local power centers across the country. Follow Fox News Digital for live updates, results, race calls and analysis throughout the night.

Georgia features one of the nation’s most closely watched runoffs: Republicans are choosing a Senate nominee to challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in a race that could play a major role in the battle for Senate control.

The race to replace longtime Democratic D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton has become one of the district’s most competitive contests after her decision not to seek re-election.

Georgia and Oklahoma voters are helping shape gubernatorial races that will be closely watched heading into November’s midterms.

The June 16 contests are part of the broader 2026 midterm cycle that will determine nominees for Congress, governor and other statewide offices ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

The power of a President Donald Trump endorsement is also facing a key test in Georgia’s gubernatorial nomination runoff, where Trump last year backed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in the race to succeed the term-limited Kemp. Jones is battling billionaire businessman Rick Jackson, who has dished out over $100 million of his own money on his campaign, in the runoff.

Kemp made a last-minute endorsement on Sunday, backing Jones. And at an event Monday morning, Kemp explained that his mission is “to make sure that we have the best folks at the top of the ticket that can win in November and you know that’s why I’m supporting Burt Jones for governor.”

Jackson also landed a last-minute endorsement, as conservative firebrand Sen. Ted Cruz backed Jackson on Friday and joined him on the campaign trail for a runoff eve rally.

“Rick has an extraordinary record, an extraordinary life story. And I also think he’s positioned to win. And the stakes are too high. This election is a battleground all across the country. We can’t afford to lose Georgia,” Cruz told Fox News.

When Cruz endorsed Jackson on Friday, he also supported South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who is facing off in a week against Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in the South Carolina GOP gubernatorial primary runoff.

Asked if he’s trying to put some daylight between himself and the president on the campaign trail, Cruz quickly responded, “No. Not remotely….The president and I agree on the vast majority of races. What I try to do in every race is endorse the strongest conservative who can win. And typically I get in races late in the race at a time where my support might be able to make a difference and be helpful.”

Jones, on the eve of the Cruz visit, took aim at Jackson.

“He keeps on bringing in these out-of-state senators, and I would much rather have the president’s endorsement,” he said. “He’s having to go out of state to get his support. We’re keeping all our stuff in state.”

Moore, who founded a waste hauling company and later served as a state lawmaker before first winning election to the U.S. House in 2020, and was one of the first politicians to endorse Trump in 2015 when the president first ran for the White House, is also endorsed by Vice President JD Vance and Senate Majority Leader Sen. John Thune.

Moore, who represents Alabama’s 1st Congressional District, in the southern portion of the state, is a member of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus.

Hudson, running as an outsider, edged out state Attorney General Steve Marshall to advance to the runoff with Moore.

Besides being a combat veteran, Hudson has served as a sheriff’s deputy, firefighter, small business owner and current head of a nonprofit that trains law enforcement in taking out human traffickers.

Hudson was endorsed by then-Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who is now Trump’s Department of Homeland Security secretary, as well as Sen. Tim Sheehy, the National Association for Gun Rights PAC, and conservative activist and media star Riley Gaines.

Moore or Hudson will be considered the clear front-runner in November against the winner of the Democratic runoff between small business owner Dakarai Larriett and attorney and former judge Everett Wess.