Rep. Mike Collins has won the Republican Senate runoff in Georgia, according to projections from NBC News. He will face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in the upcoming election. Collins secured his victory over former college football coach Derek Dooley, who was endorsed by Republican Governor Brian Kemp. Collins received support from former President Donald Trump, who endorsed him shortly before the runoff.
The runoff followed a primary on May 19, where no candidate achieved a majority. As the election approaches, Ossoff is preparing for a competitive race, being the only Democratic senator seeking re-election in Georgia, a state that Trump won in the 2024 election.
Collins, who was first elected to the House in 2022, has positioned himself as a supporter of Trump and has criticized Ossoff's representation of Georgia values. He stated that Ossoff does not reflect the state's interests and has questioned his professional background.
In response, Ossoff has criticized Collins, suggesting that his political career is a result of his family connections. Collins has also highlighted his legislative achievements, including the Laken Riley Act, which received bipartisan support.
Both candidates are expected to face significant scrutiny, with Ossoff planning to address an ethics probe involving Collins. Collins has dismissed the allegations as unfounded.
The Georgia Senate race is anticipated to be highly competitive and costly, with major super PACs pledging substantial financial support. Ossoff has a significant financial advantage, having raised over $80 million for his campaign, while Collins has raised approximately $4.9 million. The outcome of this race is crucial for both parties, as Georgia has become a key battleground in recent elections.