U.S. Rep. Mike Collins drew a crowd at the Bearded Bean restaurant in Toccoa on May 8 as part of his Big Rig Roadshow tour, just 11 days before Georgia's Republican U.S. Senate primary on May 19. The trucking business owner and incumbent from Georgia's 10th District holds a double-digit lead in recent polls over rivals including Rep. Buddy Carter and Derek Dooley. His campaign enters the final stretch with $1.66 million cash on hand, positioning him to outspend competitors through election day.
Big Rig Tour Targets Rural Strongholds
Collins rolled into Toccoa in a signature big rig, part of a statewide push to connect with voters in areas Democrats rarely visit. The event at the Bearded Bean highlighted his background as a small business owner in the trucking industry, a pitch tailored for north Georgia's working-class base. Local radio station WNEG covered the stop, noting Collins' emphasis on fighting Washington insiders.
This roadshow builds on his August 2025 announcement, when he kicked off the bid with promises to unseat Democrat Jon Ossoff. Rural stops like Toccoa matter because Georgia's 10th District, which Collins represents, stretches across conservative strongholds from Athens to Augusta. Early primary turnout often favors candidates who show up in person, giving Collins an edge over better-funded national names.
Polls Show Collins Pulling Away from Pack
A Quantus Insights poll from May 2026 put Collins at 33 percent, with Derek Dooley at 23 percent and Buddy Carter at 14 percent. The RealClearPolling average gives him about 28 percent, more than twice the share of his nearest challenger. These numbers reflect consistent leads since spring, as undecided voters consolidate behind the familiar House member.
| Candidate | Quantus Insights (May 2026) | RCP Average |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Collins | 33% | ~28% |
| Derek Dooley | 23% | ~12% |
| Buddy Carter | 14% | ~13% |
| John Coyne | N/A | <5% |
| Jonathan McColumn | N/A | <5% |
Collins' lead holds despite a crowded field. Dooley, a political newcomer with name recognition from his UGA football days, trails but gains in urban areas. Carter, a southeast Georgia congressman, splits the establishment vote. Low single digits for John Coyne and Jonathan McColumn leave little room for upsets, per Ballotpedia's candidate list and poll aggregates.
