More than two million voters cast ballots in Georgia’s 2026 general primary and nonpartisan election, surpassing the turnout from the 2022 primary and setting a new record for early voting, according to a May 20 report. Several statewide contests remain undecided and will proceed to a runoff on June 19.
The high participation highlights growing voter engagement in the state as multiple prominent races advance without clear winners. The republican nomination for U.S. Senate will be decided between Congressman Mike Collins and Derek Dooley, who is supported by Governor Kemp. The winner will challenge incumbent Senator Jon Ossoff in November. Collins currently represents Georgia’s 10th Congressional District, which includes parts of eastern Gwinnett County.
On the democratic side, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms secured her party’s nomination for governor without facing a runoff. She will compete against either Lt. Governor Burt Jones or Rick Jackson, who are headed to a republican runoff. In other notable results, State Representative Jasmine Clark won the democratic primary for Georgia’s 13th Congressional District outright and is expected to succeed the late David Scott.
Several incumbents retained their positions after competitive primaries: Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09), State Representative Houston Gaines (GA-10), and Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) all prevailed over challengers and are favored in November’s general election. The republican ticket for Lieutenant Governor remains unresolved with State Senators John Kennedy and Greg Dolezal advancing to a runoff; on the democratic side, State Senator Josh McLaurin faces former State Senator Nabilah Parkes.
In local Gwinnett County races, District 4 Commissioner Matthew Holtkamp won his party’s nomination decisively and will face Benjamin Culberson this fall. Chelsea Hutchings defeated incumbent Steve Knudsen for School Board District 2 while Dr. Adrienne Simmons was re-elected in District 4. Regina Matthews secured an open Superior Court Judge seat; Solicitor General Lisamarie Bristol also won her contest.
Voters approved an increase of $2,000 in the homestead exemption from county school district ad valorem taxes but rejected an annexation proposal into Lawrenceville city limits.
The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce supports diverse small businesses across one of America’s most diverse counties; it represents over 2,100 member businesses and was named Chamber of the Year in 2023 according to its official website. The organization seeks to promote business growth through more than 220 annual events aimed at networking within Gwinnett County’s inclusive economy.
