GEORGIA – Georgia voters narrowed the field in the state’s open gubernatorial race Tuesday, setting up a high-profile general election contest to replace term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp.

On the Republican side, businessman and healthcare executive Rick Jackson scored an upset victory over Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, winning the GOP nomination despite Jones receiving endorsements from both President Donald Trump and Gov. Kemp. Jackson reportedly secured about 53% of the vote after heavily self-funding his campaign. 

Jackson will advance to the November general election to face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor who won her party’s nomination earlier this year. 

The governor’s race is expected to be one of Georgia’s most closely watched contests this fall as Republicans seek to maintain control of the Governor’s Mansion and Democrats look to reclaim the office for the first time since 2003.