By Jill Nolin | Editor
First came the early morning Trump endorsement of Congressman Mike Collins in the U.S. Senate GOP primary. And then Gov. Brian Kemp made big endorsement news of his own later in the day when he made the surprising move to endorse Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in the race to decide who will carry the Republican banner in the race to replace him. Let’s get into it.
From left, President Donald Trump with Congressmen Barry Loudermilk, Mike Collins and Brian Jack at a Rome rally in February. Trump endorsed Collins in his run for Senate June 14, two days before the election. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder
U.S. SENATE RACE
By Ross Williams
President Donald Trump has issued a last-minute endorsement of Congressman Mike Collins in the Republican runoff to become the GOP’s U.S. Senate nominee in a race with national implications.
“Mike Collins is a true Friend, Fighter, and WARRIOR, who has been with us from the very beginning, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be your next United States Senator,” Trump wrote in a length social media post which came just before 1 a.m. on Sunday, Trump’s 80th birthday.
The endorsement comes late in the game for Collins, who faces former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley in Tuesday’s election. Early voting has already ended in the contest.
Gov. Brian Kemp shakes Lt. Gov. Burt Jones’ hands on March 3, 2026 at the state Capitol in Atlanta. Kemp made a last-minute endorsement of Jones' bid to replace him just two days before Tuesday’s runoff election. Alander Rocha/Georgia Recorder
2026 PRIMARY ELECTION
By Alander Rocha
Gov. Brian Kemp made a last-minute endorsement of Lt. Gov. Burt Jones’ bid to replace him in the governor’s mansion ahead of Tuesday’s runoff election in the GOP primary.
In a social media post Sunday afternoon, Kemp pointed to their past work over the years, saying that he and Jones “has been a strong, trusted ally in those victories for the people of our state,” pointing to tax cuts and economic growth. He also implied Jones will be a continuation of his leadership, saying that Jones “will make a strong case to the voters for four more years of conservative leadership” this fall.
2026 PRIMARY ELECTION
By Georgia Recorder staff
A lot was decided during May 19’s primary election, but plenty of important races are still up in the air.
There's plenty of action on the Republican ballot, with runoffs for the two highest races, governor and U.S. senate. Democrats have some important decisions to make as well, with runoffs for important positions including lieutenant governor and secretary of state.
The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on April 18, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
CONGRESS
By Jennifer Shutt
For the first time in nearly two decades, Congress missed a deadline for reauthorization of a key surveillance authority, raising questions about whether the U.S. government can continue to monitor certain communications.
Lawmakers have regularly approved short- and long-term extensions for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act since 2008, clearing the way for intelligence agencies to collect and analyze electronic communications from people living in other countries.
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ICYMI FROM THE RECORDER
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