How the Georgia Senate Race Stands After the Republican Primary Runoff

Collins Defeats Dooley in Georgia Senate Race

Trump Backs Collins

Ossoff Will Face New Rival

The race for one of the most closely watched seats in the United States Senate now has its Republican candidate, according to Atlanta News First.

U.S. Representative Mike Collins won the Republican primary runoff in Georgia and will face Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in the November election.

Why it matters: Republicans consider Ossoff’s seat one of their main opportunities for growth in the Senate.

The contest in Georgia is shaping up to be one of the most closely followed in the country during the next election cycle.

Mike Collins gana la segunda vuelta republicana

US Rep. Mike Collins will win the Republican nomination for Senate in Georgia, CNN’s Decision Desk projects. Collins, who owns a trucking company and is the son of a former congressman, has represented Georgia’s 10th Congressional District since 2023. https://t.co/0xMkFT4BXq pic.twitter.com/Rud7I8bgdB

— CNN (@CNN) June 17, 2026

Collins defeated Derek Dooley in the runoff held Tuesday night.

The congressman presented himself during the campaign as a “MAGA warrior,” aligning himself with the political movement promoted by President Donald Trump.

The runoff was necessary after none of the candidates managed to obtain an absolute majority in the Republican primaries held last month.

In that election, Collins finished first. Dooley came in second. U.S. Representative Buddy Carter finished third.

Since no candidate reached a sufficient majority, the two top vote-getters advanced to the second round.

Tuesday’s result confirmed Collins as the Republican candidate for November.

Trump and Kemp Backed Different Candidates

Rep. Mike Collins won the Republican primary runoff for Senate in Georgia. He will face Senator Jon Ossoff in the fall. https://t.co/PA6adu4dpO

— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 17, 2026

The contest was also marked by high-profile political endorsements.

On the Sunday before the vote, President Donald Trump announced his support for Collins.

On the other hand, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp had previously expressed his support for Derek Dooley.

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Dooley entered the race with public recognition because of his last name.

He is the son of Vince Dooley, the late historic figure in University of Georgia football and athletics.

The competition between Collins and Dooley represented two different options within the Republican Party, with significant support from influential figures at both the state and national levels.

Ultimately, Republican voters chose Collins, who won the nomination to face Ossoff.

Georgia Will Be a Key Battleground

Before the race took shape, national Republican leaders tried to persuade Brian Kemp to run for Senate.

However, those efforts were unsuccessful.

Once Kemp announced he would not participate in the election, several candidates quickly entered the race.

Buddy Carter and Mike Collins launched their campaigns immediately.

Derek Dooley joined later.

Now, with the Republican nomination decided, attention shifts to the general election.

Jon Ossoff will seek to keep his seat representing the Democratic Party.

Meanwhile, Collins will try to take it for the Republicans.

Republicans currently hold a 52-to-48 majority in the United States Senate.

For that reason, the party sees the Georgia Senate race as an important opportunity to strengthen its position in the upper chamber.