Augusta, GA
Augusta votes out incumbent, selects new mayor in runoff election
Video: Georgia primary runoff election 2026 polls open
Polls have opened for Georgia’s primary runoff election in the midterms for governor, senator, and other major leadership positions.
Augusta will have a new mayor.
Steven Kendrick, a local blueprint company owner whose civic involvement includes more than 13 years leading Richmond County’s tax office, defeated incumbent Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson on Tuesday in a nonpartisan runoff election.
With all 65 Richmond County precincts reporting, Kendrick received 14,651 or 54.27% of the vote to Johnson’s 12,347 or 45.73% of the vote.
In the nonpartisan runoff for the District 8 seat on the Augusta Commission, Evett Williams defeated Michael Cioffi, 2,174 votes (52.61%) to 1,958 (47.39%).
In the Republican runoff for the District 1 seat on Columbia County’s Board of Commissioners, Alex Griffin beat Bobby Timmerman, 2,778 votes to 1,875 (59.7% to 40.2%).
In the nonpartisan runoff for the District 2 seat on the Columbia County Board of Education, Tiffany Heitzman drew 2,768 votes (60.7%) over Deborah Williams’ 1,790 (39.2%).
In the Georgia governor’s Republican runoff, Richmond County voted for billionaire health-care executive Rick Jackson with 4,284 votes (53.67%) over Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones with 3,698 votes (46.33%). In Columbia County, Jones got 51.1% of the vote with 7,283 votes over Jackson’s 48.8% with 6,959 votes.
In the Republican runoff to represent Georgia in the U.S. Senate, Richmond County chose U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, 4,379 votes or 55.91%, over former football coach Derek Dooley, 3,453 or 44.09%. In Columbia County, Collins’ 63.2% of the vote, 8,913, beat Dooley’s 36.7%, 5,171. Collins will face Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in the November general election.
Augusta, GA
Georgia primary runoff vote totals for Richmond, Columbia counties
It’s Primary Runoff Election Day in Georgia, which includes on the Republican ballot races for governor to replace lame-duck incumbent Brian Kemp, and GOP challengers to upend Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff.
There are also important local races still to be decided in this runoff held Tuesday, June 16, including for the mayor of Augusta, and seats on the commissions for Richmond and Columbia counties.
Below are race results showing how candidates for those races and other key races are performing. Check back often on Tuesday evening and Wednesday as vote totals are updated.
Voting started at 7 a.m. and concluded at 7 p.m. While some of these races will be decided on Tuesday, many winners of the runoff still must face challengers in the Nov. 3 General Election.
To check on your voting eligibility and polling locations, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s “My Voting Page” website at mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/.
U.S. Senate
U.S. Congressional District 12
Governor
Columbia County District 1
Mayor of Augusta
Augusta-Richmond County Commission District 8
Augusta, GA
Augusta University welcomes Brent McMillian as new athletic director
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Brent McMillian, Augusta University’s new director of athletics was officially introduced in front of faculty and staff.
McMillian is a graduate of Greenbrier High School and briefly attended Augusta University.
He brings 13 years of athletics experience and he’s excited to bring his experience to AU.
“There’s been a lot of success here. It’s a tribute to the coaches and the people. My wife and I had the opportunity to come to the Hall of Fame dinner a few weeks ago. Just incredible student athletes and kids that we’ve had on campus.”
“The one thing that I’m excited to help out with is I’ve always been a revenue generator, and I do come from the Division One kind of mid-major side, and we kind of have to hustle at that level. And, you know, it’s kind of somewhat similar challenges, similar to a good Division Two,” said McMillian.
He’s not the only one excited. President Dr. Russel Keen is also excited to have him apart of the Jaguar family.
“I’m really excited about his vision because you can just tell he’s excited. He sees something brighter.”
“And just bringing his skillset to get more of the community involved to engage this campus, our students, our faculty, staff in the athletic programs and the overall increase and enhance the overall student experience for student athletes is something that, you get fired up just talking to him about it. Really excited about what the future holds for Augusta University,” said Dr. Keen.
Photojournalist: Dania Alawir
Augusta, GA
Burst pipe damages multiple floors at downtown Augusta VA Medical Center
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A water leak at the VA Medical Center in downtown Augusta caused extensive damage over the weekend, impacting portions of three floors, according to the facility’s public affairs office.
Officials said the leak happened Friday evening after a pipe burst on campus. All staff and patients in the affected areas were safely relocated.
VA Augusta personnel worked throughout the weekend and are continuing efforts to restore full operations in the impacted parts of the facility, according to the public affairs office.
Patients whose appointments were affected have been contacted to reschedule or coordinate care through a community healthcare partner.
Officials also expressed appreciation for the quick and coordinated response by VA Augusta staff during the incident.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
-
Detroit, MI17 minutes agoWhat’s New at Newlab Detroit?
-
San Francisco, CA27 minutes agoAustrian World Cup fans take over San Francisco restaurant
-
Dallas, TX32 minutes agoCowboys news: George Pickens is back with the team
-
Miami, FL33 minutes agoA community of creatives — inside Miami Acting Studio
-
Boston, MA39 minutes agoSEE THE GOOD: Boston middle schooler selected for NBA math championship – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News
-
Denver, CO42 minutes agoAttorney for Denver Broncos defender Jonathon Cooper plays race card in domestic abuse case
-
Seattle, WA47 minutes agoCal Raleigh two-run single lifts Seattle Mariners to 3-1 win over Orioles in return from injured list
-
San Diego, CA54 minutes agoAndre Pallante Sharp as St. Louis Cardinals Edge San Diego Tuesday Night