Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) won Georgia’s Republican Senate runoff on June 16, defeating former football coach Derek Dooley. He will now face Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) in a closely watched general election this November.
Collins received a late endorsement from President Donald Trump before the runoff. Dooley was backed by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.
With most votes counted, Collins led Dooley by roughly 55% to 45%. The results were reported after polls closed Tuesday evening.
The runoff was required because no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in Georgia’s May 19 Republican primary election. Collins finished first in that contest with about 40% of the vote. Dooley followed with about 30%. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) placed third.
The race became a proxy battle between Trump and Kemp. Both are among the most influential figures in Georgia Republican politics.
Kemp backed Dooley, a former University of Tennessee football coach and the son of legendary University of Georgia coach Vince Dooley. Trump waited until the final days of the campaign to endorse Collins. He called the congressman a “WARRIOR and WINNER” on Truth Social.
In his endorsement, Trump praised Collins as a longtime ally. He also criticized Dooley, writing that the former coach had spent much of his life outside Georgia and had not voted in several recent elections.
Collins represents Georgia’s 10th Congressional District. He also owns a trucking company.
He helped author the Laken Riley Act. It was one of the first pieces of legislation signed by Trump after returning to the White House. The law requires the detention of illegal immigrants charged with certain crimes, including theft, burglary, and violent offenses resulting in death or serious injury.
Dooley launched his Senate campaign last year. He argued that the lessons of football reflected American values such as hard work and perseverance.
Dooley received support from Kemp and other establishment Republicans. However, he was unable to overcome Collins’ lead in polling and support among Trump-aligned voters.
The November contest against Ossoff is expected to be one of the most competitive Senate races in the country. Republicans view Georgia as a key pickup opportunity. They are seeking to expand their Senate majority.
Democrats, meanwhile, see Ossoff as one of their strongest incumbents. He is backed by a sizable campaign operation and fundraising network.
Early polling cited by Breitbart suggested Collins could provide Republicans with their strongest challenge against Ossoff. The surveys showed the Democrat holding only a narrow lead in hypothetical general-election matchups.
The outcome could play a significant role in determining the balance of power in the Senate. It could affect the second half of Trump’s term in office.