PHOTOS: Scenes from the 2026 Georgia Primary

Politics

PHOTOS: Scenes from the 2026 Georgia Primary

Voters steadily poured through the polls during the day, and supporters rallied around their candidates at watch parties during the night.

Supporters watch election results on the screen during gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms’ election day watch party at the Hyatt Regency on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Natrice Miller for The AJC)

Gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms waves to supporters after winning the Democratic primary during her election day watch party at the Hyatt Regency on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Natrice Miller for The AJC)

Gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms thanks supporters after winning the democratic primary election during her Election Day watch party at the Hyatt Regency on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Natrice Miller for The AJC)

Kimberly Patterson and her daughter Kennedy, 8, watch election results during the Election Day watch party for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottons at the Hyatt Regency on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Natrice Miller for The AJC)

Gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms thanks supporters after winning the democratic primary election during her Election Day watch party at the Hyatt Regency on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Natrice Miller for The AJC)

Supporters celebrate after gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms waves wins the democratic primary election at her Election Day watch party at the Hyatt Regency on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Natrice Miller for The AJC)

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson addresses supporters at his election night party at the Omni at the Battery during the 2026 Georgia primary elections Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson greets his family at his election night party at the Omni at the Battery during the 2026 Georgia primary elections Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Supporters for Rick Jackson, Mike and Susan Marcinanis, of Alpharetta, take a selfie at the election night party for Georgia gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson at the Omni at the Battery during the 2026 Georgia primary elections Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson walks off of the stage as a monitor reads, “Rick to the Runoff,” at his election night party at the Omni at the Battery during the 2026 Georgia primary elections Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Burt Jones addresses supporters at his election night party at The Rivers Ranch during the 2026 Georgia primary elections Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Supporters mingle as they monitor poll results during an election night party for Georgia gubernatorial candidate Burt Jones at The Rivers Ranch during the 2026 Georgia primary elections Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Burt Jones greets supporters as he arrives for his election night party at The Rivers Ranch during the 2026 Georgia primary elections Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Supporters cheer as Georgia gubernatorial candidate Burt Jones addresses supporters at his election night party at The Rivers Ranch during the 2026 Georgia primary elections Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Tricia Raffensperger watches her husband, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, as he speaks to supporters during the primary election night watch party at the Waverly Hotel on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and his wife Tricia Raffensperger hold hands as they enter the hall to speak to supporters during the primary election night watch party at the Waverly Hotel on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Jason Esteves greets supporters at his watch party for the governor's race at Scofflaw Brewing Co., in Atlanta on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, during the 2026 Georgia primary elections.(Bob Andres for the AJC)

Jason Esteves speaks to supporters at his watch party for the governor's race at Scofflaw Brewing Co., in Atlanta on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, during the 2026 Georgia primary elections.(Bob Andres for the AJC)

Former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan reacts at Fado Irish Pub in Buckhead during his election night watch party in Atlanta on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan hugs his wife, Brooke Duncan, after thanking his supporters at Fado Irish Pub in Buckhead during his election night watch party in Atlanta on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

State Rep. Jasmine Clark and staff react to news that she is the likely winner on the Democratic ticket for U.S. House District 13 at her election night watch party at Fresca Trattoria in Stone Mountain on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Gavin Godfrey/AJC)

May 19, 2026 - Decatur, GA - Left to right: Hank Stewart, Audra Cunningham, Marzelle Wallace and Al Edwards, supporters of Georgia Democratic candidate for governor Mike Thurmond at the watch party headquarters at the Marriott Conference Center in Decatur Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Akili-Casundria Ramsess/for the AJC)

Georgia GOP gubernatorial candidate Derek Dooley greets supporters at his election night party at Park Bench at the Battery during the 2026 Georgia primary elections Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Barbara Dooley, Derek Dooley’s mother (left), talks with Clay and Stephanie Powell at Georgia GOP gubernatorial candidate Derek Dooley election night party at Park Bench at the Battery during the 2026 Georgia primary elections Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Allen Gruehn and his mother, Allison Gruehn, wait for Georgia GOP gubernatorial candidate Derek Dooley at his election night party at Park Bench at the Battery during the 2026 Georgia primary elections Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp signs a poster in support of Georgia GOP gubernatorial candidate Derek Dooley at his election night party at Park Bench at the Battery during the 2026 Georgia primary elections Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Gov. Brian Kemp greets Georgia GOP gubernatorial candidate Derek Dooley’s mother, Barbara Dooley, at his election night party at Park Bench at the Battery during the 2026 Georgia primary elections Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Collins greets supporters as he arrives at his primary election watch party at The Carmichael House in Jackson on May 19, 2026. Collins is in his second term in the U.S. House representing the 10th Congressional District. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Attendees are seen through a window at U.S. Senate candidate Mike Collins’ primary election watch party at The Carmichael House in Jackson on May 19, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Collins lifts his granddaughter Monroe, 1, as he arrives at his primary election watch party at The Carmichael House in Jackson on May 19, 2026. Collins is in his second term in the U.S. House representing the 10th Congressional District. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Collins speaks at his primary election watch party at The Carmichael House in Jackson on May 19, 2026. Collins, who in his second term in the U.S. House representing the 10th Congressional District, advanced to the June 16 runoff that will determine which Republican will face incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Brandon Phillips, consultant for U.S. Senate candidate Mike Collins, places a sign during Collins’ primary election watch party at The Carmichael House in Jackson on May 19, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Buddy Carter chats and laughs with supporters Greg Null, left, Porter Null, center, campaign communications director, and Ellie Null, right, during an election night watch party on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Sandy Springs, Ga. (Olivia Bowdoin for the AJC)

Buddy Carter greets supporters while watching election results during an election night watch party Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Sandy Springs, Ga. (Olivia Bowdoin for the AJC)

A person picks up signs during Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Collins’ primary election watch party at The Carmichael House in Jackson on May 19, 2026. Collins is in his second term in the U.S. House representing the 10th Congressional District. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

May 19, 2026 - Decatur, GA - Democratic candidate for Georgia state governor Mike Thurmond greets supporters at his watch party headquarters at the Marriott Conference Center in Decatur Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Akili-Casundria Ramsess/for the AJC)

May 19, 2026 - Decatur, GA - Democratic candidate for Georgia state governor Mike Thurmond addresses supporters at his watch party headquarters at the Marriott Conference Center in Decatur Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Akili-Casundria Ramsess/for the AJC)

May 19, 2026 - Decatur, GA - Democratic candidate for Georgia state governor Mike Thurmond with his wife Zola addresses supporters at his watch party headquarters at the Marriott Conference Center in Decatur Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Akili-Casundria Ramsess/for the AJC)

Poll workers deliver ballots at the Fulton County Election Center, in Atlanta on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, during the 2026 Georgia primary elections.(Bob Andres for the AJC)

Election workers receive instructions as they wait to process ballots at the Fulton County Election Center, in Atlanta on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, during the 2026 Georgia primary elections.(Bob Andres for the AJC)

People wait in line to vote at Buckhead Library on election day in Atlanta on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Selah Quadjovie studies the ballot while voting at Friendship Community Church in South Fulton on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

A poll worker checks a voter in at the Johns Creek Environmental Campus in Alpharetta on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

People vote at Buckhead Library on election day in Atlanta on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

A woman holds a child while voting at the Calvary Baptist Church polling location in Austell, Georgia. Tuesday, May 19, 2026 (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

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Credit: Natrice Miller for the AJC

Supporters watch election results on the screen during gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms’ election day watch party at the Hyatt Regency on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Natrice Miller for The AJC)

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