Elections · Atlanta
Mike Collins wins Georgia Senate GOP runoff, to face Jon Ossoff in November
Republican Rep. Mike Collins, a Trump loyalist, defeated Brian Kemp-backed Derek Dooley in the Georgia Senate primary runoff, setting up a November showdown with Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff.
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In brief
Mike Collins won the Republican Senate runoff with 55% of the vote, according to preliminary results; the AP called the race at 8:30 p.m. with 52% of ballots counted.
The primary became a messy intraparty fight between Trump, who endorsed Collins, and popular Gov. Brian Kemp, who backed former football coach Derek Dooley.
Collins raised $4.3 million, while incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff has built a $57 million war chest, one of the Senate's strongest.
Collins will face Ossoff in a closely watched race that could decide control of the U.S. Senate.
- 16 JunRunoff election held; Collins defeats Dooley, AP calls race at 8:30 p.m.
- 3 NovGeneral election; Collins faces incumbent Jon Ossoff
The runoff
Georgia voters went to the polls Tuesday and gave Trump-endorsed Mike Collins a decisive victory over Derek Dooley, the candidate backed by outgoing Gov. Brian Kemp. With 52% of the vote counted, the AP called the race for Collins just after 8:30 p.m., and preliminary results from the Secretary of State's office showed Collins winning 55% of the vote.
The candidates
Collins, a trucking company owner serving in the U.S. House since 2023, ran as an ardent Trump loyalist, making immigration enforcement his central theme. He has denied the legitimacy of the 2020 election, defended Jan. 6 rioters, and is a hardline anti-abortion advocate. Dooley, son of legendary UGA football coach Vince Dooley, coached at the University of Tennessee before being fired after three losing seasons. He was a close friend of Kemp, who lent his political staff, endorsement, and fundraising heft to the campaign.
“WARRIOR and WINNER!”
What's at stake
The race is one of a handful this November that will determine control of the U.S. Senate. Ossoff, who has represented Georgia since 2021, has become a prominent Democratic voice, delivering sharp criticisms of the Trump administration. Republicans see the seat as a prime pickup opportunity, but after a bitter primary fight, they now face an incumbent who has built a massive war chest and national profile.
Money race
Collins raised $4.3 million up to the latest disclosure deadline, a fraction of the $57 million Ossoff has amassed. The Democrat's fundraising has been one of the strongest in the Senate, giving him a significant financial advantage heading into the general election.
- Collins (R)
- 4.3 $M
- Ossoff (D)
- 57 $M
Data from the article text
What's next
The general election is set for Nov. 3. Collins will pivot to attacking Ossoff's record while the Democratic incumbent will frame the race as a choice between a bipartisan lawmaker and a MAGA firebrand.
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Sources and context
- AxiosCollins wins Georgia Senate runoff, to challenge Ossoff
- Bloomberg BusinessTrump Ally Collins Beats Kemp's Pick for Senate in Georgia Race
- The GuardianGeorgia runoff: Republican voters choose Trump-backed conservative to face Jon Ossoff
- POLITICOMike Collins wins Georgia GOP Senate runoff, setting up major clash with Jon Ossoff
- Mike Collins
- Republican U.S. Representative and GOP nominee for Georgia Senate
- Derek Dooley
- Defeated primary candidate, former college football coach, backed by Brian Kemp
- Jon Ossoff
- Incumbent Democratic Senator from Georgia since 2021
- Brian Kemp
- Governor of Georgia who endorsed Derek Dooley
- Donald Trump
- President of the United States; endorsed Mike Collins
- Brad Raffensperger
- Georgia Secretary of State; office released preliminary runoff results
- Places
- Atlanta, Washington, D.C.
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