Trump backs Mike Collins, mocks rival Dooley ahead of Georgia Senate runoff

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Sunday, June 14, endorsed Rep Mike Collins in Georgia's Republican Senate runoff, delivering a significant late-campaign boost to the congressman as he battles former football coach Derek Dooley for the party's nomination.

The endorsement ends weeks of speculation over whom Trump would support in one of the GOP's most closely watched Senate contests.

“Mike has to beat a Republican Opponent before he gets to Ossoff,” Trump wrote on social media. “I don’t know Derek Dooley, and neither does anyone else, but he seems like a nice person.”

Mike Collins led first round of voting

Collins and Dooley advanced to Tuesday's runoff after no candidate secured a majority in the May 19 primary.

Collins finished first with 40% of the vote, while Dooley received 30%. Rep Buddy Carter came in third with 25% and was eliminated from the race.

Both finalists actively sought Trump's endorsement, though many Georgia Republicans believed Collins had the inside track because of his close alignment with the president.

Campaign built around Trump alliance

Throughout the campaign, Collins has emphasized his support for Trump and highlighted his role as the author of the Laken Riley Act, an immigration enforcement bill that became the first legislation Trump signed during his second term.

His campaign has repeatedly showcased his ties to the president. A recent television advertisement featured Collins declaring, “I stand with President Trump,” alongside footage of Trump describing him as “fantastic.”

Collins has also strengthened his political operation by bringing in several senior aides from Trump's campaign team.

Derek Dooley counts on Brian Kemp's support

While Collins secured Trump's backing, Dooley has benefited from the strong support of Georgia Gov Brian Kemp.

Kemp, who has had a strained relationship with Trump since the 2020 election dispute, has campaigned actively for Dooley. The governor's connection to the candidate is also personal, as Dooley's father, Vince Dooley, was a legendary football coach at the University of Georgia.

Dooley's campaign has portrayed him as a political outsider who would work with Trump while prioritizing Georgia's interests.

High-stakes race for Republicans

According to political advertising trackers, Dooley has outspent Collins on television advertising since the primary. Collins, however, argues that strong grassroots support helped him overcome a spending disadvantage in the first round and can do so again in the runoff.

The winner of Tuesday's contest will advance to face Democratic Sen Jon Ossoff in November. 

Ossoff is the only Democratic senator seeking re-election in a state that Trump carried in the 2024 presidential election, making the Georgia race one of the Republican Party's top pickup opportunities in the battle for control of the Senate.