Trump-backed candidate loses Georgia gubernatorial primary

A candidate publicly endorsed by former U.S. President Donald Trump has lost in the Republican gubernatorial primary runoff in Georgia.

According to the Georgia Secretary of State on May 17 (local time), Rick Jackson was elected the Republican candidate for governor, defeating Burt Jones in the Georgia Republican gubernatorial primary runoff held the previous day. Jackson secured 373,406 votes, or 53% of the vote, while incumbent Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones received 335,847 votes, or 47%.

Burt Jones had received the public endorsement of former President Donald Trump and current Governor Brian Kemp. In contrast, Rick Jackson, a billionaire healthcare entrepreneur, announced his candidacy as a political newcomer in February. Jackson ran an aggressive campaign, investing $100 million of his own money and pledging to be "Trump's favorite governor."

In other Republican runoffs held the same day, Trump-backed candidates won the race for Secretary of State and another federal Senate candidate primary.

Jackson will face Democratic candidate Keshia Lance Bottoms, a former Atlanta mayor and advisor to President Joe Biden, in the general election in November for the Georgia governor's seat.