PHOTOS: Scenes from the 2026 Georgia Primary

Politics

Voters steadily poured through the polls during the day, and supporters rallied around their candidates at watch parties during the night.

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson at his election night watch party for the 2026 Georgia primary elections

Jason Esteves greets supporters at his watch party for the governor's race at Scofflaw Brewing Co., in Atlanta on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, during the 2026 Georgia primary elections.(Bob Andres for the AJC)

Jason Esteves speaks to supporters at his watch party for the governor's race at Scofflaw Brewing Co., in Atlanta on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, during the 2026 Georgia primary elections.(Bob Andres for the AJC)

Keisha Lance Bottoms leads as Democrats scramble for second runoff spot for governor

State Rep. Jasmine Clark and staff react to news that she is the likely winner on the Democratic ticket for U.S. House District 13 at her election night watch party at Fresca Trattoria in Stone Mountain on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Gavin Godfrey/AJC)

(From left) Hank Stewart, Audra Cunningham, Marzelle Wallace and Al Edwards, supporters of Georgia Democratic candidate for governor Mike Thurmond, gather at the watch party headquarters at the Marriott Conference Center in Decatur Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Akili-Casundria Ramsess/for the AJC)

Georgia GOP gubernatorial candidate Derek Dooley greets supporters at his election night party at Park Bench at the Battery during the 2026 Georgia primary elections Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Barbara Dooley, Derek Dooley’s mother (left), talks with Clay and Stephanie Powell at Georgia GOP gubernatorial candidate Derek Dooley election night party at Park Bench at the Battery during the 2026 Georgia primary elections Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Allen Gruehn and his mother, Allison Gruehn, wait for Georgia GOP gubernatorial candidate Derek Dooley at his election night party at Park Bench at the Battery during the 2026 Georgia primary elections Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp signs a poster in support of Georgia GOP gubernatorial candidate Derek Dooley at his election night party at Park Bench at the Battery during the 2026 Georgia primary elections Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Gov. Brian Kemp greets Georgia GOP gubernatorial candidate Derek Dooley’s mother, Barbara Dooley, at her son's election night party at Park Bench at the Battery during the 2026 Georgia primary elections Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Mike Thurmond greets supporters at his watch party headquarters at the Marriott Conference Center in Decatur on May 19, 2026. (Akili-Casundria Ramsess/for the AJC)

Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Mike Thurmond addresses supporters at his watch party headquarters at the Marriott Conference Center in Decaturon May 19, 2026. (Akili-Casundria Ramsess/for the AJC)

Democratic candidate for Georgia state governor Mike Thurmond with his wife, Zola, addresses supporters at his watch party headquarters at the Marriott Conference Center in Decatur on May 19, 2026. (Akili-Casundria Ramsess/for the AJC)

Selah Quadjovie studies the ballot while voting at Friendship Community Church in South Fulton on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

A poll worker checks a voter in at the Johns Creek Environmental Campus in Alpharetta on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

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Supporters watch election results on the screen during gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms’ election day watch party at the Hyatt Regency on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Natrice Miller for The AJC)

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Credit: Natrice Miller for the AJC

PHOTOS: Scenes from the 2026 Georgia Primary

Voters steadily poured through the polls during the day, and supporters rallied around their candidates at watch parties during the night.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

PHOTOS: Clark Atlanta University 2026 spring commencement

Clark Atlanta University held its commencement exercises on Monday, May 18, 2026, at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Credit: Natrice Miller for the AJC

PHOTOS: Morris Brown College 2026 spring commencement ceremony

Friends and family of graduates attend Morris Brown College’s commencement at Saint Philip AME Church in Atlanta on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

PHOTOS: Spelman College holds 139th commencement ceremony

The Georgia International Convention Center was packed with families and friends as 569 graduates walked across the stage during Spelman College’s 139th commencement.

Credit: Colin Hubbard

PHOTOS: Dream rally falls short in home opener

Despite a major fourth-quarter rally, the Atlanta Dream lost their home opener to the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday at State Farm Arena.

Credit: (Ben Gray for the AJC)

PHOTOS: Morehouse College holds 142nd commencement ceremony

Morehouse College held its graduation ceremony on its Century Campus on May 17, 2026, featuring NBA All-Star Chris Paul as the keynote speaker.

Credit: (Ben Gray for the AJC)

PHOTOS: Morehouse School of Medicine holds commencement ceremony

Morehouse School of Medicine's commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Martin Luther King International Chapel.

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

PHOTOS: Amy Sherald at the High Museum

"American Sublime," now showing at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, traces how the Georgia-born artist reshapes the American portrait.