Donald Trump will face three separate tests in the second half of June to maintain his strong record of support in Republican primaries so far. The runoff elections in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina have shown that despite Trump-backed candidates leading in the first round, their positions are not guaranteed.
In all three races, no candidate surpassed the 50 percent threshold in the initial vote, leading to runoffs. In the Alabama Senate race and the gubernatorial contests in Georgia and South Carolina, Trump-backed candidates finished first but all remained below 40 percent in the first round.
Senate Seat Battle in Alabama
In Alabama, the Republican Senate nomination is contested between Representative Barry Moore and former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson. Moore finished 13 points ahead of Hudson in the May 19 first round and has Trump’s endorsement.
Hudson describes himself as a fighter for Trump’s "America First" agenda. Both candidates are competing to replace outgoing Senator Tommy Tuberville.
Gubernatorial Race Heats Up in Georgia
In Georgia, Trump-backed Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones will face billionaire healthcare executive Rick Jackson. Jones trailed Jackson by 6 points in the first round.
Jackson, a first-time candidate, energized the race by spending over $90 million of his own fortune. He also compares himself to Trump and has become one of the figures reshaping the race’s dynamics.
Unlike the other races, this contest has a direct impact on the November general election, which is expected to be fiercely competitive in the critical swing state of Georgia. Therefore, the runoff is seen as a crucial threshold not only for the Republican nominee but also for the national political agenda.
Weakest Start in South Carolina
Among Trump-backed candidates, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette had the lowest first-round result in South Carolina. Evette received 29 percent, finishing just 3 points ahead of Attorney General Alan Wilson.
Evette secured Trump’s endorsement less than two weeks before the June 9 vote. Wilson emphasizes his efforts to defend Trump’s agenda in the courts.
Trump’s Record and Sole Loss in Iowa
So far in this election cycle, only one candidate endorsed by Trump has lost a Republican Senate, House, or gubernatorial race. That candidate was Representative Randy Feenstra in Iowa.
Feenstra received Trump’s endorsement just days before the June 2 primary but narrowly lost to businessman Zach Lahn. Lahn positions himself close to the "Make America Healthy Again" movement.
When asked about this result, Trump said he believed he was not properly informed. According to him, "the other candidate was much more pro-Trump than Feenstra."
Iran Developments and Tensions in Washington
Another major topic in the bulletin was Trump’s pursuit of a deal to end the war with Iran. Trump said the agreement could be finalized "within the next few days."
The framework being negotiated reportedly includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the U.S. blockade, extending the ceasefire, and immediately addressing Iran’s nuclear file. However, no agreement has yet been signed by Iran’s new leadership.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote that the deal is "closer than ever." However, he cautioned against speculation about details and said specifics will be shared in due time.
While Trump said he canceled planned strikes yesterday, signs of ongoing tension in the region continue. A U.S. official reported that two Iranian drones were shot down overnight.
Israel’s Defense Minister also stated today in an English-language post that his country will not withdraw from areas in Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank. The minister argued that Israel must maintain its independent capacity to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
In a recent exclusive interview, Trump said sanctions or frozen assets against Iran would not be lifted upfront. According to him, these steps will only be considered if Tehran "behaves well" and progress is made.
The president also reiterated that the final deal will be "much better" than the Iran agreement discussed during the Obama administration.
