ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — With less than 24 hours left before qualifying ends in Georgia’s nationally watched primary midterms, a new poll shows leaders in both the Republican and Democratic primaries set for May 19.

The first Emerson College Polling/Nextstar Media survey of Georgia’s U.S. Senate race has Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff with an edge over potential Republican opponents.

Ossoff leads U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter 47% to 44%, with 9% undecided. Ossoff’s lead extends to five points against U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, 48% to 43% with 9% undecided, and he has an eight-point lead over Derek Dooley, 49% to 41% with 10% undecided.

In the GOP Senate primary to face Ossoff, 30% support Collins, 16% support Carter and 10% favor Dooley. Forty percent are undecided.

In the GOP primary for governor, 21% support Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, 20% support healthcare CEO Rick Jackson, 11% favor Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and 6% support Attorney General Chris Carr. Thirty-eight percent are undecided.

In the Democratic primary for governor, 35% support former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, 13% favor former lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan and 7% former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. A plurality of 39% are undecided.

The survey was conducted Feb. 28-March 2 among likely Democratic and Republican voters with a 4.5% margin of error.

“Ossoff enters the 2026 election cycle just under 50% support, anchored by a strong base among independent voters, leading potential Republican opponents by an average of 16 points, along with voters under 50, leading by an average of 12 points, and women, leading by an average of 8 points,” said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling.

“Collins has a plurality of support among voters over 50, at 33%, while 15% support Carter, and 7% Dooley,” Kimball said. “Voters under 50 are more split: 24% support Collins, 18% support Carter, and 15% Dooley.”

Men also support Collins more decisively at 34%, compared to 26% of women.

Kimball said Jackson’s stunning entry into the governor’s race has reshaped the contest, as he is “drawing support from voters over 60 (35%) and independent affiliated primary voters (25%).

“Jones’ support is highest among men (27%), Republican-affiliated primary voters (22%),” Kimball said. “His support is consistent among age groups.”

Several Democrats are campaigning to become their party’s first Georgia governor this century.

“Forty-eight percent of Black voters support Lance Bottoms, while white voters are split: 19% support Bottoms, 14% support Duncan, 7% favor Jason Esteves, and 7% support Thurmond,” Kimball said.

Voters were asked if President Donald Trump’s endorsement makes them more or less likely to vote for a candidate. Forty-seven percent of Republican primary voters say it makes them more likely, 42% say it has no impact on their vote and 12% say it makes them less likely.

On Sunday, March 8, Atlanta News First will broadcast a special, live edition of On the Record that features the most important pieces of legislation that successfully made it through Crossover Day.

Trump holds a 42% job approval rating among Georgia likely voters, while 51% disapprove of his job performance. Governor Brian Kemp holds a 46% job approval rating and 25% disapproval. Thirty percent are neutral.

The top issue for Georgia likely voters is the economy (36%), followed by housing affordability (14%), healthcare (14%), threats to democracy (11%), crime (8%) and immigration (7%).

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