Mike Collins Wins GOP Runoff, Will Face Ossoff in November
Georgia Republicans chose Congressman Mike Collins in a Senate runoff, setting up a November showdown with Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff — despite a last-minute Trump endorsement and an ongoing ethics probe.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA — Congressman Mike Collins secured the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, defeating his rivals in a runoff election to earn the right to challenge Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.
The Associated Press called the race for Collins at 8:37 p.m. Collins represents Georgia’s conservative 10th Congressional District, which stretches east from metro Atlanta to the South Carolina border and includes Athens.
Trump Endorsement Came Late in the Race
Collins received a last-minute boost from President Donald Trump, who endorsed the congressman just two days before the election, after early voting had already concluded. The endorsement is widely seen as a factor in Collins’ victory.
The win also dealt a setback to Gov. Brian Kemp, who had backed Collins’ opponent, Dooley, and campaigned vigorously on his behalf. Kemp had argued that Dooley would be a stronger candidate in the general election.
Collins’ Background and Legislative Record
Before winning his congressional seat in 2022, Collins founded and served as CEO of a trucking company. He is the son of former U.S. Rep. Mac Collins, who served in Congress from 1993 until 2005.
Collins is the primary author of the Laken Riley Act, named for a 22-year-old nursing student killed in his district by a man who had entered the country illegally. The law expanded requirements for the detention of immigrants charged with property crimes and was the first bill signed by Trump in his second term.
During the runoff campaign, Collins described himself as a “conservative workhorse” committed to advancing Trump’s legislative agenda while maintaining an ability to work across the aisle without compromising his conservative principles.
Ethics Investigation Looms Over General Election Campaign
Collins faces potential headwinds heading into November. Critics have pointed to a history of divisive social media posts, and the House Ethics Committee is currently investigating Collins and his former chief of staff, Brandon Phillips, over allegations that they improperly used government funds to pay a woman Phillips was dating for work she did not perform.
Collins has characterized those accusations as political in nature, according to the Georgia Recorder. Opponents have also argued that his close alignment with Trump may prove less of an asset in a general election, where the broader electorate tends to be more competitive.
Collins will now face Sen. Jon Ossoff, one of Georgia’s two Democratic senators, in the November general election.
