Kentucky Senate Primary 2026: Barr Wins; Massie Out, GA to Runoff | GOP Digest May 20

Andy Barr Clinches Kentucky Nomination:

Trump-backed Rep. Andy Barr won the Republican primary for Mitch McConnell's open U.S. Senate seat in Kentucky, defeating a crowded field that included Amy McGrath. Barr will face Democrat Charles Booker in November, giving Republicans a strong path to holding the seat in deep-red Kentucky.

Massie Ousted by Trump-Backed Gallrein:

In a decisive repudiation of intraparty dissent, Trump-endorsed Ed Gallrein defeated incumbent Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky's 4th Congressional District primary. Massie, a frequent procedural disruptor who repeatedly clashed with the White House, became the latest casualty of Trump's endorsement machine — which has now successfully ousted multiple anti-Trump incumbents in the 2026 cycle.

Jones and Jackson Advance; Raffensperger Eliminated:

Georgia's Republican governor primary ended without a majority winner, sending Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and physician Rick Jackson to a summer runoff. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger — a longtime Trump target for certifying Georgia's 2020 results — was eliminated, effectively closing the chapter on establishment Republican resistance in the state.

Collins and Dooley Head to GOP Runoff:

Republicans Mike Collins and Derek Dooley advance to a Senate primary runoff to determine who will challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff in November. Georgia remains a top Republican Senate pickup target, though party strategists warn that prolonged internal competition complicates the path to a unified fall campaign.

Trump Backs Paxton Over Cornyn:

With early voting underway in the Texas Senate primary runoff, President Trump has thrown his full support behind former Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. New general election polling shows both Paxton and Cornyn nearly tied with Democrat Colin Talarico, underscoring that candidate quality — and Republican unity after the runoff — will be decisive in what should be a safe red state.

Three-Way Race Tightens:

A new Emerson College poll shows a competitive three-way Republican primary among Brian Fleming, Rep. Luke Letlow, and incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy. Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump after January 6, faces an uphill battle in a Trump-dominated state. The jungle-primary format could produce a Republican-vs.-Republican runoff, making GOP nominee selection the key variable for holding the seat.