Georgia GOP Runoff: Collins vs. Dooley
Republican Representative Mike Collins of Georgia will face former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley in a runoff election following the primary election. Neither candidate secured 50 percent of the vote, necessitating another contest to determine the GOP candidate for U.S. Senate.
Current Poll Insights
Quantus Insights conducted a survey after the statewide primary. Results indicated Collins leading Dooley by a significant margin.
Corbin Keown, spokesperson for Collins’ campaign, expressed confidence in an email to Newsweek, stating, “Despite being outspent 15-to-1 in advertising, Mike Collins secured 40% in a five-way primary because Georgians value hard work, authenticity, and proven results. Derek lacks these traits, and voting reflects this.”
Newsweek sought comments from Dooley’s campaign regarding the poll but did not receive a response.
Primary Election Results
According to the Associated Press, Collins received 40.5 percent of the vote, compared to Dooley’s 30.2 percent and Earl L. Carter’s 25.1 percent.
The winner between Collins and Dooley will face Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in November.
In the snap poll by Quantus Insights, Collins has 53.5 percent support, while Dooley has 37.2 percent. The poll surveyed 782 likely Republican Georgia voters on Wednesday, with a margin of error of 3.9 percent.
Candidate Reactions and Endorsements
Collins shared on X, “Still humbled by last night’s results. Heading to DC to uphold President Trump’s America First agenda. Serving you in Congress is my honor.”
Dooley posted on X, “To defeat Jon Ossoff, Georgia needs a political outsider. I’m in this race to serve Georgia and prioritize YOU in the U.S. Senate.”
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp supports Dooley, emphasizing his decision not to run. President Donald Trump hasn’t endorsed a candidate.
Lauren French of Senate Majority PAC noted to Newsweek, “Today highlights the weaknesses in the Republican field. Georgia voters endured months without any candidate gaining decisive support. We anticipate further intra-party conflicts.”
The runoff election will take place on June 16.
Hypothetical Matchups
A past Echelon Insights poll showed Collins with 44 percent vs. Ossoff’s 51 percent in a hypothetical race.
An Emerson College poll from March indicated Ossoff leading Dooley 49 percent to 41 percent, and undecided voters were at 10 percent. For Collins, Ossoff leads by 48 percent vs. 43 percent, with 9 percent undecided.