Georgia GOP Rep. Mike Collins and former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley have clinched the top two spots in the Republican Senate primary, according to Decision Desk HQ projections. The June 16 runoff will serve as a proxy battle between the party's Trump-aligned wing and the establishment faction loyal to Gov. Brian Kemp.
Collins, a trucking company owner and son of former Rep. Mac Collins, emerged as the front-runner despite a crowded field of five candidates. Dooley, who earned Kemp's endorsement, secured second place, edging out Rep. Buddy Carter, former Senate candidate John Coyne, and retired Brig. Gen. Jonathan McColumn. No candidate crossed the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff, a scenario polling had long predicted.
The primary was widely seen as a test of influence between former President Donald Trump and Governor Kemp, even though Trump did not formally endorse anyone. Collins and Carter both vied for the Trump mantle, while Dooley campaigned heavily with Kemp. The runoff now sets up a direct contest between the two factions, with Collins representing the Trump-aligned lane and Dooley carrying Kemp's banner.
Collins gained national prominence for sponsoring the Laken Riley Act, which permits authorities to detain undocumented immigrants charged or convicted of crimes like theft and burglary. He has secured endorsements from several House colleagues and conservative groups such as Club for Growth and Turning Point Action. Carter, a pharmacist and businessman, self-financed his campaign with $3 million but fell short of the runoff.
Dooley, best known for his tenure as Tennessee's head coach, has sought to position himself as a political outsider. While he has praised Trump, his campaign emphasizes a "Georgia First" vision, a subtle departure from the "America First" rhetoric used by Collins and Carter. His close alignment with Kemp has drawn sharp contrasts in a party still divided over the 2020 election aftermath.
The lone Senate debate was marked by heated exchanges between Collins and Carter, who traded barbs over ethics. Carter attacked Collins over a House ethics probe into an intern hire with ties to a senior aide, alleging no work was performed. Collins fired back, calling Carter a "career politician" and accusing him of "crooked land deals" tied to a failed federal project.
Georgia remains a top pickup opportunity for Republicans, but the party faces pressure to unify quickly. Incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff reported $32.5 million in his campaign account, a formidable war chest that underscores the challenge ahead. The runoff will be critical in determining whether the GOP can consolidate behind a single candidate to challenge Ossoff in the fall.
The outcome of this runoff could also ripple into other Georgia races, such as the governor's primary and state House contests, where the same factional dynamics are at play. As the June 16 date approaches, both candidates will need to rally their bases while appealing to the broader Republican electorate.
