Though nobody named Trump or Clinton was on the ballot Tuesday, Georgia voters still turned out to decide the fates of several incumbents in primary elections across the state.
Returning to the polls nearly three months after the state held presidential primaries, Georgians voted to give the state's senior U.S. senator a shot at keeping his job in the fall election. Voters also handed victories to four GOP congressmen facing primary opponents as well as one member of the utility-regulating Georgia Public Service Commission.
One other U.S. House member was also facing primary challengers.
A look at key primary races in Georgia:
KEEP ISAKSON OR ROCK THE BOAT?
Sen. Johnny Isakson will get to run for a third term in Washington this fall after overcoming two fellow Republicans standing in his way.
Both of Isakson's GOP challengers, Derrick Grayson and Mary Kay Bacallao, had previously run unsuccessful statewide campaigns in 2014 and they fared no better Tuesday.
Grayson, an engineer from Redan, tried questioning whether Isakson would complete another six-year term. Isakson announced last summer that he has Parkinson's disease but says he can still do the job.
Bacallao, a college professor from Fayetteville, had criticized Isakson for voting with others to replace the federal education standards known as No Child Left Behind.
Three Democrats were running for the chance to challenge Isakson in November. Investment manager Jim Barksdale of Atlanta, who was backed by top Georgia Democrats and loaned his campaign $1.1 million, was leading early returns. Project manager Cheryl Copeland of Hira and Atlanta businessman John Coyne rounded out the Democratic field.
WESTMORELAND'S SUCCESSOR
In west Georgia, seven Republicans are competing for the party's nomination to replace GOP Rep. Lynn Westmoreland as he retires from Congress.
The crowded GOP contest could easily go to a runoff July 26. The Republican contenders: state Sen. Mike Crane of Newnan, Air Force veteran Samuel Anders of Newnan, former West Point Mayor Drew Ferguson, Jonesboro business owner Chip Flanegan, Newnan film producer Richard Mix, Peachtree City businessman Jim Pace and Newnan educator Arnall ``Rod'' Thomas.
Two Democrats Angela Pendley of Grantville and Newnan pastor Tamarkus Cook are also seeking Westmoreland's Republican-leaning House seat.
CROWDED HOUSE
Four of Georgia's Republican congressmen fended off primary challengers Tuesday, while another GOP House member was fighting to advance to the fall campaign.
In the 9th District, Rep. Doug Collins of Gainesville overcame four Republican primary challengers, including former Georgia congressman Paul Broun, who was seeking a comeback after a failed 2014 campaign for the U.S. Senate.
Rep. Rick Allen won a 12th District rematch with fellow Augusta Republican Eugene Yu, who sought a comeback after losing to Allen in the 2014 primary.
GOP Rep. Austin Scott of Tifton defeated Macon business owner Angela Hicks in the 8th District. It was Scott's first contested race in a primary or general election since he won the seat in 2010.
In northwest Georgia's 14th District, Rep. Tom Graves of Ranger overcame a pair of Republicans: Rome business owner Allen Levine and electrician Mickey Tuck of Silver Creek.
Rep. Barry Loudermilk of Cassville was leading four opponents in the 11th District.
With no Democrat seeking their seats, Collins' and Graves' victories essentially guarantee they will return to Washington next year.
Scott will face Democrat James Neal Harris of Gray in the November general election. Democrat Tricia Carpenter McCracken of Augusta will challenge Allen.
REPUBLICAN REGULATOR
Incumbent Tim Echols defeated two Republicans seeking his seat on the state Public Service Commission.
Echols beat fellow Republicans Kellie Pollard Austin and Michelle Miller in the primary election Tuesday.
The win means Echols should coast to a second, six-year term on the utility regulating commission in November, because no Democrats signed up to run for the statewide position.
DUI LAWMAKER
One state lawmaker hopes metro Atlanta voters show forgiveness after he was charged with drunken driving last month.
Republican Rep. Tom Taylor of Dunwoody said he made a ``serious mistake'' after he was arrested April 7 in Rabun County. His GOP primary opponent, Tom Owens of Doraville, ran on the slogan ``sober conservative judgment.''
A police report said Taylor's blood-alcohol content was nearly three times over the legal limit. He had four teenage passengers.
Meanwhile, GOP House Speaker David Ralston trounced Sam Snider of Ellijay, who sought a rematch after losing to the powerful Republican in 2014. No Democrats were seeking Ralston's 7th District seat, meaning he should coast to re-election in the fall.
In the Georgia House, 34 Republican and 27 Democratic incumbents faced primary opponents. In the Senate, 12 Republicans and three Democrats faced contested primaries.
VOTER TURNOUT
Secretary of State Brian Kemp predicted solid turnout Tuesday based on early voting numbers.
Kemp's office reported about 329,000 people cast or mailed in ballots by Friday, the last day for early voting before Tuesday's primary.
That's a 38 percent increase from early voting totals in the 2012 primary. But it's still far behind the more than 417,000 who set an early voting record in Georgia before the March presidential primaries.
