Ted Cruz Breaks with Trump in Key Georgia and South Carolina GOP Races/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Sen. Ted Cruz is backing candidates opposing some of President Trump’s preferred choices in key GOP races. Georgia and South Carolina contests are testing the power of Trump’s endorsements. Republican primaries in Georgia and Alabama could shape the party’s future ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Trump Endorsements and GOP Runoffs Quick Looks
- Ted Cruz endorsed billionaire Rick Jackson in Georgia’s governor runoff.
- Trump is backing Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones for governor.
- Cruz also endorsed South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.
- Trump supports Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in South Carolina’s governor race.
- Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp recently endorsed Burt Jones.
- Rick Jackson has spent more than $100 million of his own money.
- Trump endorsed Rep. Mike Collins in Georgia’s Senate runoff.
- Alabama’s Senate race pits Trump-backed Barry Moore against outsider Jared Hudson.
- Cruz says he supports “the strongest conservative who can win.”
- The races offer fresh tests of Trump’s influence inside the GOP.
Deep Look
Ted Cruz Charts an Independent Path in GOP Primaries
Sen. Ted Cruz is showing signs of independence from President Donald Trump in several high-profile Republican contests, endorsing candidates who are running against Trump-backed rivals in key Southern states.
The move highlights evolving dynamics within the Republican Party as influential conservatives seek to shape the GOP’s future while remaining aligned with Trump on most issues.
Despite backing candidates opposed by Trump in some races, Cruz insists there is no broader split between him and the president.
“No. Not remotely,” Cruz told Fox News when asked whether he was trying to distance himself from Trump politically.
He added that his goal is simple: support “the strongest conservative who can win.”
Georgia Governor’s Race Tests Trump’s Power
One of the most closely watched contests is Georgia’s Republican gubernatorial runoff.
President Trump endorsed Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones more than a year ago and recently reaffirmed his support. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also offered a late endorsement for Jones, emphasizing the importance of electing Republicans who can win statewide in November.
“Our mission is to make sure that we have the best folks at the top of the ticket that can win in November,” Kemp said.
Jones faces billionaire businessman Rick Jackson, who has poured more than $100 million of his own money into the race, making it one of the most expensive state campaigns in recent history.
Cruz endorsed Jackson and joined him on the campaign trail, arguing that Georgia remains critical to Republican electoral success.
“The stakes are too high,” Cruz said. “We can’t afford to lose Georgia.”
The contest represents one of the strongest tests yet of whether massive campaign spending and outside support can overcome Trump’s endorsement.
South Carolina Brings Another Divergence
Cruz also endorsed South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson in his gubernatorial runoff campaign.
Wilson is competing against Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, who carries Trump’s endorsement.
The race further underscores that while Trump remains the dominant force in Republican politics, other conservative leaders continue to exercise influence in shaping candidate choices.
Trump’s Endorsements Remain Central
Trump’s political support continues to be a powerful force across Republican primaries.
In Georgia’s Senate runoff, Rep. Mike Collins highlighted Trump’s endorsement shortly after polls opened.
“President Trump endorsed my campaign because he knows I’ll be the Conservative Workhorse Georgia can count on,” Collins said.
Collins is facing former football coach Derek Dooley, who has received support from Governor Kemp.
Similarly, in Alabama’s Senate runoff, Trump is backing Rep. Barry Moore against former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson.
Moore has also secured endorsements from Vice President JD Vance and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, while Hudson is running as an outsider candidate appealing to anti-establishment voters.
Alabama Senate Race Reflects GOP Divide
The Alabama runoff showcases another emerging theme within the Republican Party: whether voters prefer experienced officeholders or outsider candidates.
Hudson, a former Navy SEAL and nonprofit leader, has emphasized faith and service throughout his campaign.
“If there’s one thing you take away from everything I’ve said on this campaign trail,” Hudson wrote on social media, “Jesus is the ultimate warrior.”
Moore, meanwhile, has stressed his long-standing support for Trump, noting he was among the president’s earliest political endorsers during the 2016 campaign.
Because Alabama remains a deeply Republican state, the GOP nominee is widely expected to enter the general election as the favorite.
What These Races Mean for Republicans
Tuesday’s contests may offer valuable insights into several major political questions:
- How powerful is a Trump endorsement in 2026?
- Can money compete with political influence?
- Are GOP voters favoring outsiders or experienced officeholders?
- How much sway do other conservative leaders like Ted Cruz still hold?
While Trump remains the dominant figure in Republican politics, these elections could reveal whether multiple centers of influence are emerging within the party as it prepares for future national contests.
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