Mike Collins Wins Georgia GOP Senate Nomination

Republican Representative Mike Collins won Georgia's GOP Senate nomination on Tuesday, defeating former college football coach Derek Dooley in a runoff election. The victory, secured with approximately 56 percent of the vote, sets up a high-stakes November contest against Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, a race pivotal to the battle for control of the U.S. Senate. In a parallel Republican gubernatorial runoff, businessman Rick Jackson defeated Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, who had been endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Jackson will face Democratic nominee and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Collins' win followed a late endorsement from Trump just days before the runoff, while Dooley was backed by outgoing Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. The result was seen as a test of influence between the former president and the popular governor, who have had a strained relationship since 2020. In his victory remarks, Collins thanked his family and supporters but did not mention Trump, instead pitching himself as a bipartisan coalition-builder who would campaign in every community. He stated his mission was to defeat Ossoff and return the seat to Georgia Republicans.