Former President Donald Trump is once again the kingmaker in Republican primaries as the 2026 midterms near. his endorsement, already decisive in most contests, is being courted by candidates in South Carolina, Georgia, Michigan and even a Los Angeles mayoral bid.

South Carolina Governor's Primary Tightens Ahead of June 9 Vote

Four GOP heavyweights—Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Ralph Norman, Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette—are locked in a neck‑and‑neck race, with polls showing each within a few points of the others. The article notes that Evette and Wilson frequently swap the lead,and a Trump endorsement could be the swing factor that pushes one over the 50‑percent threshold needed to avoid a runoff.

Georgia Senate Runoff Pits Mike Collins Against Derek Dooley

In the Georgia Senate primary, Rep. Mike Collins leads with 40.5% while former football coach Derek Dooley trails at 30.2%, according to the source.. Dooley already enjoys Governor Brian Kemp’s endorsement, but Collins has yet to secure Trump’s backing, a gap that could prove pivotal in the June 16 runoff that will decide the GOP challenger to Sen. Jon Ossoff.

Michigan Gubernatorial Field Awaits Trump’s Signal

Michigan’s open governor’s seat has attracted a crowded slate, including Rep. John James, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, ex‑Attorney General Mike Cox and businessman Perry Johnson. Despite the state’s swing‑state status and Trump’s 2024 win there, the former president remains uncommitted, leaving candidates to jockey for his attention,as GOP strategist Dennis Lennox observed.

Los Angeles Mayoral Race Tests Trump’s Influence in a Democratic Stronghold

Reality‑TV personality Spencer Pratt, a registered Republican, is leveraging voter anger over the recent Palisades fire to gain traction in the jungle primary. While a Trump endorsement could amplify his profile among GOP voters, the article warns it might backfire in a city that leans heavily Democratic.

Who Will Trump Endorse? Unanswered Gaps in the Endorsement Map

The source leaves three critical questions open: Which South Carolina candidate will receive Trump’s nod, if any? Will Collins finally win the former president’s support before the Georgia runoff? And why has Trump stayed silent on Michigan’s governor’s race despite its strategic importance? These missing pieces will shape the GOP’s roadmap to 2026.

According to the report, nearly every candidate who has secured Trump’s endorsement so far has won their contest, underscoring the weight of his backing. As the primaries unfold , the timing and target of Trump’s endorsements will be watched as closely as the votes themselves.