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Voters Head to Polls for Primaries in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Alabama

Primary elections are scheduled for Tuesday in several states, including House races in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Alabama. Races in Georgia and Kentucky have drawn significant outside spending and attention from national figures.

Cbs News
1 source·May 19, 11:00 AM(10 days ago)·1m read
Voters Head to Polls for Primaries in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Alabamarnz.co.nz
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Voters in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Alabama are scheduled to cast ballots Tuesday in primary elections for House and state offices. Thomas Massie is facing challenger Ed Gallrein. The race has become the most expensive House primary in history, with millions in spending from pro-Israel groups including AIPAC and the Republican Jewish Coalition.

Massie told CBS News that President Trump knows he is tough to beat and that outside money has narrowed the contest. He said he votes with the president 90 percent of the time but will not support measures he believes would lead to war or warrantless surveillance.

President Trump has campaigned for Gallrein and described Massie as an obstructionist. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared with Gallrein on Monday and said the president does not need lawmakers who prioritize making a point over accomplishing results.

Georgia voters are choosing a Republican nominee to replace term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp. The primary includes former Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Attorney General Chris Carr, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, and healthcare executive Rick Jackson. Jackson has spent more than $83 million on the campaign, including $56 million on television advertising, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Jones has spent $26 million on ads. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms leads the Democratic primary.

Republicans are also selecting a nominee to challenge incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. The field includes Reps. Mike Collins and Buddy Carter and former college football coach Derek Dooley. The Cook Political Report rates the general election as leaning Democratic.

In Alabama, voters are deciding four of seven House seats. The remaining three districts will hold primaries in August following a recent Supreme Court decision on the state's congressional map.

Key Facts

Kentucky 4th District primary
Most expensive House primary in history
Rick Jackson spending
$83 million spent on Georgia governor campaign
Georgia Senate outlook
Cook Political Report rates race leaning Democrat
Alabama House primaries
Four districts voting Tuesday, three in August

Story Timeline

3 events
  1. Monday

    President Trump posted criticism of Rep. Thomas Massie on social media.

    1 source@CBSNews
  2. Monday

    Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth campaigned with Ed Gallrein in Kentucky.

    1 source@CBSNews
  3. Earlier this month

    Supreme Court decision allowed Alabama to use new congressional map.

    1 source@CBSNews

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    Georgia governor primary winner will face Democratic nominee in November.

  2. 02

    Georgia Senate primary result will determine Republican challenger to Sen. Ossoff.

  3. 03

    Outcome of Kentucky primary may affect Republican conference dynamics in House.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced1
Confidence score65%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count288 words
PublishedMay 19, 2026, 11:00 AM
Bias signals removed2 across 1 outlet
Signal Breakdown
Editorializing 1Loaded 1

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