In the race for an open Georgia congressional seat, Republican Brian Jack is seeking the nomination with the support of former President Donald Trump and other national GOP figures. With a background in working on Trump’s 2016 campaign and serving as White House political director, Jack has secured endorsements and fundraising from notable Republicans. He is positioning himself as an “America First ally” and emphasizing his alignment with Trump’s policies. His opponent, Mike Dugan, is highlighting his experience as a decision maker and coalition builder, arguing that Jack’s Washington insider status is a liability and emphasizing his “Georgia values.”
As the campaign enters its final week, both candidates are working to rally voters to the polls in what is expected to be a low-turnout runoff election on June 18. The winner of the runoff will be the favorite to succeed Republican U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson, who is stepping down after four terms. The 3rd District, which spans from Carrollton south to Columbus and east into Atlanta’s southern suburbs, traditionally leans Republican, with the Princeton Gerrymandering Project estimating that Republicans typically win about two-thirds of the vote. Democrat Maura Keller awaits the GOP nominee in the November general election after winning the party’s primary in May.
Despite some policy differences, such as Jack’s support for Trump’s deportation plan and Dugan’s focus on border security and immigration reform, the runoff campaign has remained mostly polite with both candidates launching only tentative attacks. Both candidates have also received endorsements from former colleagues, with Jack securing support from former state Sen. Mike Crane and former state Rep. Philip Singleton, while Dugan has endorsements from a number of state senators he served with. The runoff has the potential to shift dynamics from the primary, as Dugan seeks to overturn Jack’s lead in the votes.
The debate between the two candidates has centered around issues such as tax policy, immigration, and their ties to the district. Dugan has emphasized his roots in the district and his record of reducing tax burdens on Georgians during his time in the state Senate. In contrast, Jack has highlighted his experience working closely with Trump and his commitment to America First policies. The race has drawn attention from national Republicans, with prominent figures like Rep. Jim Jordan and former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson campaigning for Jack.
With the runoff approaching, both candidates are making their final appeals to voters, seeking to differentiate themselves on policy, experience, and values. The outcome of the election will have implications for the direction of the district and the representation of Georgia in Congress. As the campaigns intensify in the final days, voters will have to weigh the candidates’ credentials and priorities to make an informed decision at the polls.
