Rep. Mike Collins wins Georgia Senate runoff, sparks Ossoff response

Rep. Mike Collins defeated Derek Dooley in Georgia’s Republican U.S. Senate primary runoff Tuesday night, ending a tight, long race. The win followed President Trump’s last-minute endorsement. Democrats quickly framed Collins as corrupt and extreme, while Coll

When the votes finally settled in Georgia’s Republican U.S. Senate primary runoff, Rep. Mike Collins emerged on top—after a contest that had appeared nearly dead even right after polls closed.

Collins defeated former college football coach Derek Dooley Tuesday night, with results showing an incredibly tight race soon after voting ended. As ballots were tallied, the gap grew larger.

The final stretch came with a jolt: President Trump issued a last-minute endorsement for Collins over the weekend, a move that supporters pointed to as a possible tipping point in the final days of the primary season.

“ It is my Great Honor to endorse ‘MAGA’ Mike Collins. a Highly Respected Congressman who has been with me from the very beginning. and is running for the United States Senate in Georgia. a very special place to me. ” Trump said in a post on Truth Social in the early hours of Sunday morning. Trump called Collins “a WARRIOR and WINNER. ” and added that he was “strongly supported by the most Highly Respected MAGA Patriots in Georgia and beyond. and many Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate.”.

The president also described Collins as a “successful Businessman” and highlighted his work in the U.S. House. Collins has served in Congress since 2023 for Georgia’s 10th congressional district in central Georgia, and his current House seat is up for election.

In his post. Trump listed a series of priorities he said Collins would pursue as a senator—pushing to “Grow the Economy. ” “Cut Taxes and Regulations. ” “Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A. ” and championing “American Energy DOMINANCE.” Trump also said Collins would “Strengthen our incredible Military/Veterans. ” “Keep our Border SECURE. ” “Stop Migrant Crime. Murderers. and other Criminals. ” and “Ensure LAW AND ORDER. ” while “Protect[ing] our always under siege Second Amendment.”.

Dooley had the backing of outgoing Gov. Brian Kemp. a longtime friend of the family. and Dooley’s campaign had also made a late push in the May primary for the second spot in the runoff over Buddy Carter. Dooley and Kemp were then tied up in a possible pay-to-play scandal dating back to the early days of Kemp’s time in the governor’s mansion.

Collins, for his part, framed his victory as a launch point for the general election.

In a post on X following his win, Collins said he was “honored” to be the nominee. He then set his sights on November, writing: “Now it’s time to get to work, defeat Jon Ossoff, and take this seat back for the people of this state.” He added, “Hammer Down!”

The stakes are high because the Senate race is expected to be among the most closely watched contests of the midterm election. The outcome could affect control of the Senate, a factor that has made the campaign a national political focus rather than a purely state-level fight.

After Collins’ win, Ossoff returned to anti-corruption language—this time with the Trump endorsement woven into his critique.

Ossoff said in a statement Tuesday night that Collins is “a notorious bigot. antisemite. and extremist currently under federal investigation for the illegal misuse of tax dollars.” Ossoff also accused Collins of being in Congress “because his daddy was a congressman. ” and said Collins “voted to double health insurance premiums for more than a million Georgians. ” while also voting “for the Iran War” and for “the Trump tariffs.”.

Ossoff has centered anti-corruption as a theme of his campaign, repeatedly accusing both Collins and Dooley of corrupt practices. During a campaign event in Atlanta on May 31. Ossoff said. “They should have to come out and answer questions about all of it right now. But Atlanta, it doesn’t matter which one wins. They’re both corrupt political insiders, and they’re both pro-war, pro-tariff, and pro cutting your health care. They’re both Trump puppets, and we’ll beat either of them in November.”.

He added that Democrats aimed to win “with a coalition that extends far beyond party lines,” describing the election as a choice for “everyone who sees things spiraling out of our control” and “sees the same old politics failing everywhere across our state.”

The runoff winner’s path now runs through November politics in a state that already stands out: Georgia has two Democratic senators with a Republican governor. Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms will face Republican Rick Jackson in the governor’s race in November. where polls show Bottoms as the favorite. and Ossoff has been leading in early polling against either Republican candidate.

If Collins and Jackson lose in November, Georgia would become blue in both the state house and the Senate. If Collins and Jackson win, Republicans would hold the governor’s mansion and one Senate seat, while Democrat Sen. Raphael Warnock—who was not up for reelection this cycle—would hold the other.

For Irene Wright. a reporter covering Georgia’s midterm races as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. the moment underscores what many voters see unfolding on the ground: a closely fought primary that sets up a high-pressure general election where personal endorsements. allegations. and national stakes collide.

Georgia Senate runoff Mike Collins Derek Dooley Trump endorsement Jon Ossoff Brian Kemp midterm election Raphael Warnock Keisha Lance Bottoms Rick Jackson