Georgia Republicans have chosen Congressman Mike Collins to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.
The Associated Press called the runoff election for Collins at 8:37 p.m.
Collins received a last-minute endorsement from President Donald Trump, who threw his support behind the congressman two days before the election and after early voting had already concluded. His win also represents a black eye for Gov. Brian Kemp, who backed Dooley and campaigned vigorously for the candidate Kemp argued would have a better shot at winning in November.
Before being elected to Congress in 2022, Collins worked as founder and CEO of a trucking company. He represents the conservative 10th District, which runs east from metro Atlanta to the South Carolina line and includes Athens.
His father, former U.S. Rep. Mac Collins, served in Congress from 1993 until 2005.
Collins was the primary author of the Laken Riley Act, which was named for a 22-year-old nursing student who was killed in his district by a man who had entered the country illegally and expanded requirements for the detention of immigrants charged with property crimes. It was the first bill signed by Trump in his second term.
Collins campaigned as a “conservative workhorse” with the commitment to pass legislation to support Trump’s agenda and an ability to work across the aisle without sacrificing his conservative ideals.
But detractors predicted he would face challenges in a general election, where ties with Trump are less of an asset. Opponents also point to a history of divisive social media posts and an ongoing ethics investigation.
The House Ethics Committee is 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 do.
Collins has characterized the accusations as political theater.
The race for Ossoff’s seat is likely to be grueling and expensive. Ossoff is the only Democratic senator up for re-election in a state won by Trump in 2024, which makes it a major priority for Republicans hoping to hold onto the chamber.
Ossoff has the highest fundraising totals of any Senate candidate in 2026. According to the Federal Election Commission, he raised $14 million from the start of the year through the end of March, and his total funds topped $31 million as of his most recent filing.
This is a developing story, check back for more details
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This article appears in 2026 Elections: Candidate lists, news.
