Georgia Republicans are not done picking their next secretary of state just yet. Tim Fleming and Vernon Jones are heading to a June 16 runoff for the GOP nomination after neither cleared 50% in Tuesday's primary. Fleming led the five-way field and Jones finished second, setting up a four-week sprint to decide who will oversee the state's elections as lawmakers eye map changes ahead of 2028.
Fleming finished first with about 38.8% of the vote and Jones captured roughly 28.1%, according to the Georgia Secretary of State in unofficial returns. The results left Kelvin King, Gabriel "Gabe" Sterling and Ted Metz trailing and confirmed there would be no outright winner. County election officials and campaigns will now pivot to preparing for the June runoff that will determine the GOP nominee.
The crowded Republican field featured King, Sterling, a former top elections official, and perennial candidate Metz, all of whom helped split the vote and kept the race below the majority threshold, as reported by Atlanta News First. Their showings leave Fleming and Jones with a narrow window to consolidate support from voters who backed other candidates in May.
What’s at Stake
The secretary of state runs Georgia's elections, business filings and professional licensing, giving the officeholder real influence over how ballots are handled and how results are certified. Lawmakers have signaled they plan to redraw congressional and legislative districts ahead of the 2028 cycle and could also consider changes to vote-counting rules. Georgia Public Broadcasting reports that the governor called lawmakers back for a special session to take up maps and election law.
Raffensperger’s Departure and 2020 Legacy
Brad Raffensperger's national profile rose after he resisted pressure from former President Donald Trump during the aftermath of the 2020 election, including a recorded Jan. 2, 2021 phone call in which Trump urged officials to "find" votes, an exchange detailed by The Washington Post. Raffensperger declined to seek reelection and ran for governor this spring, a campaign that did not advance to the runoff, according to coverage by the Associated Press.
Runoff Preview and What to Watch
Fleming is a state representative who has worked in GOP administrations and ran as a conservative institutionalist, while Jones, a former Democratic lawmaker turned Trump ally, has pushed for more aggressive changes to election rules, including backing hand-marked paper ballots, as outlined in candidate profiles by Georgia Recorder. Over the next four weeks, endorsements from county election leaders, turnout in rural versus metro areas and whether King or Sterling backs either finalist will likely help shape the outcome, analysts say.
The top-two runoff is scheduled for June 16 on Georgia's election calendar, giving both campaigns a short window to sharpen their messaging and raise resources ahead of the summer contest, per Georgia.gov. The winner will be back on the ballot in November for the open statewide post.
