Republican Congressman Mike Collins has won Georgia’s Republican Senate runoff, securing the party’s nomination to challenge incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in what is expected to become one of the most closely watched races of the 2026 election cycle.
Collins defeated former football coach Derek Dooley with a majority of the vote, overcoming a challenge backed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.
Throughout the campaign, Collins emphasized immigration enforcement, economic nationalism, and conservative priorities under his “Georgia First” message.
He also highlighted his role in advancing the Laken Riley Act, a measure aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement that drew bipartisan support in Congress.
The campaign was not without controversy. Collins faced criticism over social media posts and public statements that opponents argued were inflammatory.
Ossoff, seeking a second Senate term, has already begun framing the race as a choice between competing visions for Georgia and the nation.
The Democratic senator has criticized both Republican runoff candidates as establishment insiders and has sought to position himself as a defender of healthcare access, economic opportunity, and democratic institutions.
With Georgia remaining one of the nation's premier political battlegrounds, the Collins-Ossoff matchup is expected to attract significant national attention, substantial fundraising, and heavy involvement from both major parties as they compete for control of a closely divided Senate.
Related Tweet:
#BREAKING: Trump-backed Collins beats Kemp’s pick to take on Ossoff for Georgia Senatehttps://t.co/GciqzhLl3v
— The Hill (@thehill) June 17, 2026
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