In Georgia primary, Republicans dominate spending and Democrats drive record turnout

In this file photo, stickers sit on a table inside a polling place on Nov. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. Brynn Anderson/AP hide caption toggle caption Brynn Anderson/AP ATLANTA — Tuesday's primary elections in Georgia have been defined by record-setting fundraising, contentious Republican primaries and turnout driven by enthusiastic Democrats. Many of the marquee races are likely to head to June 16 runoffs, as Republicans will decide who faces incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff and both parties sift through a crowded field of candidates for governor. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is term-limited. Both the Senate and gubernatorial contests are expected to be among the most competitive in November. In the wake of last month's Supreme Court decision weakening part of the Voting Rights Act, there is also increased attention on two nonpartisan Georgia Supreme Court seats on the ballot that Democrats seek to flip. Like every other state that has held a primary election in 2026, a surge in turnout has been dominated by Democrats. More than a million Georgians cast their ballots before Election Day , with Democrats enjoying a nearly 15% turnout advantage over Republicans. A consequential Senate matchup Ossoff is the most vulnerable incumbent Democrat on the ballot this fall, but a divisive Republican primary has eaten up most of the time and attention in the race. The frontrunner in polls and campaign finance reporting is Rep. …