WASHINGTON -- Backing from President Donald Trump carries major weight during Republican primary contests. Yet it does not guarantee success when large sums of money enter the picture.

Rick Jackson poured over 100 million dollars into his effort mostly from personal funds to beat Trump-backed Burt Jones during the Georgia Republican runoff for governor. This marked another uncommon case where the president's preferred candidate did not prevail in a primary fight.

Trump achieved better outcomes in other races. His choice for the U.S. Senate secured victory in an Alabama runoff while his selection for Oklahoma governor moved ahead to a follow-up contest there.

Primaries took place Tuesday across four states plus the District of Columbia. Democratic races often reflected ongoing splits between progressives and moderates as the party seeks its strongest route toward November.

Key insights emerge as results arrive from Alabama California the District of Columbia Georgia and Oklahoma.

While few things are guaranteed in politics a full-throated endorsement from Trump offers one of the most reliable routes to success in a Republican primary.

Jackson discovered an alternative route to the Republican nomination for Georgia governor though it proved expensive. The wealthy healthcare executive provided the bulk of more than 100 million dollars his campaign used to convince Republican voters to set aside Trump's recommendation.

Trump backed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones well over a year earlier and repeated that support recently by highlighting Jones courage and wisdom in an online message.

Ahead of Tuesday runoff Jackson placed second to Jones in the May 19 primary even as nearly one third of voters chose other options.

Jackson will meet Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms the former Atlanta mayor in November for leadership of a key battleground state.

Oklahoma Republican primary for governor put Trump's endorsement to another test. The president entered the race late endorsing former state Sen. Mike Mazzei two weeks earlier in a crowded field lacking a clear leader. Mazzei earned a runoff spot on Aug. 25 finishing close behind Attorney General Gentner Drummond.

Trump often succeeds with his picks but earlier this month his choice for Iowa governor U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra fell to Zach Lahn during that state's primary.

Trump gained power as an outsider leading a Make America Great Again effort eager to upend traditional politics.

Yet the former challenger now leads a vast political structure. What occurs when he supports an establishment figure?

In Alabama the approach succeeded for Trump. He backed U.S. Rep. Barry Moore a three-term lawmaker who vowed to champion President Trump's America First agenda if chosen for the Senate.

Moore topped former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson who positioned himself as a Washington outsider and sought to tap anti-establishment energy that helped elevate Trump.

Alabama remains a Republican bastion so the primary winner holds a strong edge for November.

The opening was created when Sen. Tommy Tuberville became the Republican nominee for Alabama governor.

One top Democratic hopeful in the District of Columbia mayor race Janeese Lewis George identifies as a democratic socialist a label that gained notice during Sen. Bernie Sanders presidential runs.

Lewis George campaign for the nomination echoes democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani surprise win for New York City mayor last year. The contest attracted national focus including from the president.

Trump suggested days before the mayoral primary that he could assume control of the city should Lewis George prevail stating we will not accept it. Lewis George labeled the remark an assault on democracy itself.

The heavily Democratic city's ties to the president remain central as Trump has wielded extensive authority over Washington D.C. This covers an extended National Guard presence on streets and reductions to the federal workforce which supplies many local jobs.

Some locals felt Mayor Muriel Bowser did not resist the administration strongly enough. Part of Lewis George platform which stresses affordability calls to protect Home Rule through leaders willing to confront challenges rather than yield to unfairness.

The contest remained undecided Tuesday night and may hinge on D.C. new ranked choice voting method.

Similar to select other areas D.C. voters ranked candidates on ballots and if none reaches 50 percent of votes then second preferences factor in. This process appeared in Maine where officials began tallying ranked choice votes for governor and a House race days after election night.

In D.C. officials cautioned the updated system might postpone final results for several days.

State Rep. Tim Fleming captured the Republican nomination for Georgia secretary of state Tuesday night by defeating Vernon Jones who leaned more heavily into questions surrounding Trump's defeat to Joe Biden.

The pair vied to succeed Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger who rejected Trump's baseless fraud assertions and the president's call to locate 11780 votes six years earlier.

Those assertions influenced Tuesday contest.

Jones stated he sees irregularities and violations from 2020 and aligns with those convinced fraud occurred. Three of four main points on Jones platform addressed election oversight including tighter voter ID measures.

Fleming addressed the issue cautiously noting irregularities in 2020 yet clarifying he does not campaign on conspiracy notions. Four of seven platform items on his site centered on election oversight and one pledged to prevent the Left from cheating in state elections.

Fleming will meet Democrat Penny Brown Reynolds who secured her party nomination Tuesday.

Democrat Eric Swalwell stepped down from the U.S. House and ended his California governor bid in April following allegations of sexual assault from a woman who claimed she could not consent due to intoxication.

A special primary occurred Tuesday to complete Swalwell term and Democratic state Sen. Aisha Wahab advanced to the special general election on Aug. 18. It stayed unclear who would claim the remaining spot.

The winner will serve in the U.S. House through January. Wahab held favor alongside Melissa Hernandez a Bay Area Rapid Transit director.

Wahab established in California politics represents a more progressive side of the party while Hernandez a local official aligns nearer the center. To reduce expenses Wahab targets corporate profiteering and pushes expanded social supports. Hernandez emphasizes local employment gains and aid for small businesses.

Both also competed in the regular primary for Swalwell seat and will meet again in the November general. The victor there assumes office next year.

This story has been corrected to show Trump sought to locate 11780 not 11800 votes.

Cooper reported from Phoenix and Bedayn from Austin Texas.