Trump-backed Vernon Jones loses Georgia GOP primary runoff for House seat

Trump-back Vernon Jones lost his GOP bid Tuesday to win a House seat in Georgia.

Jones lost to businessman Mike Collins in a runoff for the GOP nomination in the state's 10th Congressional District.

The Associated Press called the race at 7:53 p.m. Eastern time. 

Collins, a trucking company owner, finished in first place against Jones and several other Republicans in the state's May 24 primary but fell short of the majority needed to win the nomination outright.

Jones, a former Democrat and state lawmaker, had previously sought the GOP nomination for Georgia governor. He dropped out of the race after former President Trump vowed to endorse him if he ran in the congressional race.

Georgia GOP Gov. Brian Kemp, a Trump rival, endorsed Collins last week.

The seat was left open when GOP Rep. Jody Hice chose to run for Georgia secretary of state.