Staff Reports
This week’s Republican runoffs in Alabama and Georgia were billed as a blunt test of President Donald Trump’s influence in the party. Voters handed mixed answers. In Georgia, a late Trump endorsement helped one candidate and failed to save another. In Alabama, Trump’s backing and millions from outside groups pushed a favorite across the finish line despite a nasty late scandal. The takeaway is tidy: Trump still moves votes, but cash and chaos can blunt his power.
Georgia: When a last-minute nod matters — and when it doesn’t
In the Georgia Senate runoff, Rep. Mike Collins won the GOP nod after President Trump posted a late endorsement on Truth Social. That quick push mattered. Collins was already ahead in the polls, but Trump’s words gave him the extra lift to close the deal and set up a fall fight with Senator Jon Ossoff — a race with national stakes for Senate control. The message was simple: when Trump chooses to step in, Republican voters listen.
But the governor’s contest in Georgia told a different story. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones carried President Trump’s earlier endorsement and plenty of MAGA bona fides, yet he lost to billionaire Rick Jackson, who poured roughly nine figures of personal cash into the race. Money can still overwhelm endorsements. Jackson’s self-funding showed that in a primary, a blank check and endless ads will sometimes outgun even the former president’s seal of approval.
Alabama: Endorsements, crypto cash, and the “stolen valor” drama
Alabama’s open Senate primary also tested Trump’s sway. Rep. Barry Moore, who had President Trump’s endorsement, prevailed in a bruising runoff against Jared Hudson. Moore benefited from big ad buys from Club for Growth affiliates and crypto‑industry PACs, plus the Trump boost. The race turned messy late with “stolen valor” allegations swirling, proof that dirty tricks still move the needle. Even with controversy, the mix of outside spending and the Trump nod was enough to carry the day in a deep‑red state.
What this means for Trump, the GOP, and November
These results give mixed lessons. First: an endorsement from President Trump still carries weight, especially when timed well. Second: mega‑spending can neutralize an endorsement, as the Georgia governor race showed. Third: intra‑party fights — Governor Kemp backing an alternate candidate in Georgia, establishment groups spending in Alabama — mean the GOP is still sorting its priorities between loyalty and electability. For Republicans heading into November, the smart play is to treat endorsements as helpful, not magical. Campaign organization, turnout, and money still decide winners.
Bottom line
Tuesday’s runoffs made one thing clear: President Trump’s thumb still moves votes, but it isn’t a universal key. Late endorsements can swing tight races. Deep pockets can drown out loyalty. And dirty last‑minute attacks can drag a race into freefall — sometimes to surprising effect. The Republican Party should enjoy the wins, learn from the losses, and stop pretending a single post on Truth Social solves every problem. November is the real test, and that one takes work, not just applause.
