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Trump-Backed Candidates Lead Primaries, Trigger June Runoffs

5/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Trump-endorsed candidates surged in May 19 primaries, as Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) led the Senate primary at 41.6% and heads to a June 16 runoff.
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Rick Jackson tied at 36.7% and 34.5%, causing a June 16 runoff.
Captain Gallrein, President Donald Trump’s endorsement, beat Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) 54.4% to 45.6% in Kentucky’s 4th primary, while Sen. Thom Tillis warned bill could hurt Sen. Cornyn’s runoff against Paxton.

History

Historical Context

In March 2016, Donald Trump won Alabama’s Republican presidential primary on Super Tuesday, drawing on the state’s strong evangelical base (about 63% of Republican voters). He then gave his first Senate endorsement to Jeff Sessions, later backed Luther Strange in the 2017 runoff and Tommy Tuberville in 2020, illustrating how his support repeatedly tips Republican primaries.

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Story summary

Trump-endorsed candidates surged in May 19 primaries, as Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) led the Senate primary at 41.6% and heads to a June 16 runoff.
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Rick Jackson tied at 36.7% and 34.5%, causing a June 16 runoff.
Captain Gallrein, President Donald Trump’s endorsement, beat Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) 54.4% to 45.6% in Kentucky’s 4th primary, while Sen. Thom Tillis warned bill could hurt Sen. Cornyn’s runoff against Paxton.

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