GOP primary 'brawl' going off-the-rails in key swing state

Of all the Democratic senators seeking reelection in the United States' 2026 midterms, Georgia's Jon Ossoff is considered the most vulnerable. Republicans would love to flip Ossoff's seat, but according to reporting in Politico, the GOP's chaotic U.S. Senate primary in the key swing state is working to the incumbent Democrat's advantage.

Politico reporters Alec Hernandez and Erin Doherty, in an article published on April 2, explain, "Republicans once saw Georgia as the crown jewel of their Senate pickup opportunities. They're now blaming each other as the GOP primary unravels into an intraparty brawl that could cost them their chance of defeating Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. The party is grappling with a crowded field, no dominant frontrunner, no endorsement from President Donald Trump — and the reality that the May 19 primary will very likely extend into an expensive, bruising mid-June runoff."

In 2025, GOP strategists were hoping that two-term Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp — who is a traditional conservative but not ultra-MAGA — would run for Ossoff's seat, as they saw him as very electable. But Kemp ruled out the possibility of running.

"Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.), a close Trump ally, leads in public polling, with fellow Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) and Gov. Brian Kemp-endorsed former football coach Derek Dooley battling for second," Hernandez and Doherty report. "But a large share of voters remain undecided, underscoring how fluid the race is. Meanwhile, incumbent Ossoff — who faces no primary challenge of his own — is keeping his powder dry and has amassed a formidable eight-figure campaign war chest ready to deploy in the general election."

The Democratic Party, according to the Politico reporters, is investing a great deal of money in getting Ossoff reelected.

GOP strategist Ryan Mahoney told Politico, "Jon Ossoff has $24 million. Jon Ossoff is on TV all of the time, carefully articulating his positions, grilling Tulsi Gabbard — really being methodical. He has tons of resources — great name ID, a lot of exposure — while the Republicans are fighting against each other, trying to see who can break out and ultimately be the nominee. He's just in a great position."

Mahoney isn't the only Republican who believes the GOP primary is increasing Ossoff's chances of being reelected.

A GOP strategist, interviewed on condition of anonymity, told Politico, "If Ossoff could write a playbook for how he wants this primary to go, this is exactly it."

Another Republican strategist, also quoted anonymously, told Politico, "It's a mess that could have been much less messy if they had figured this out six months ago. Everybody's resigned to this going to May and then a June runoff — and then pick up the pieces after that."