Rep. Mike Collins defeated Derek Dooley in the June 16, 2026, Republican primary runoff for Georgia's U.S. Senate seat. The win came two days after President Donald Trump endorsed Collins via Truth Social and labeled him MAGA Mike. Collins now faces Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff in the November 3 general election.
Trump's Late Endorsement Shifts Momentum
Trump issued the endorsement on June 14 and 15, just before voters went to the polls. The move came after the May 19 primary failed to produce a majority winner and left Collins as the top vote-getter against Dooley. Collins had led the initial field but needed the runoff to secure the nomination outright.
The endorsement arrived late in the contest yet proved decisive. Trump had stayed out of the race for weeks before weighing in with the Truth Social post. Collins secured the nomination on the strength of that final push from the president.
Kemp Backing for Dooley Tests Party Factions
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp endorsed Dooley in the runoff. The move set up a direct contrast between Trump's influence and Kemp's within the state Republican Party. Dooley carried the governor's support into the final weeks but could not overcome the late Trump intervention.
The outcome highlights the current balance of power in Georgia GOP circles. Kemp's choice did not carry enough weight to deliver the nomination. Collins instead rode the president's backing to victory in the head-to-head matchup.
November General Election Looms
Collins will now challenge Ossoff for the Senate seat. The general election is set for November 3, 2026. Ossoff won the seat in 2020 and has held it through one full term.
The runoff results close the Republican nomination process that began with the May primary. Eight candidates appeared on the initial GOP ballot, but only Collins and Dooley advanced to the June 16 contest.
| Candidate | Key Endorsement | Outcome |
|---|
| Mike Collins | Donald Trump | Won runoff |
| Derek Dooley | Brian Kemp | Lost runoff |
The Washington Post tracked live results from the runoff on June 16. Ballotpedia lists the full timeline from the May primary through the November general. Collins now turns to the fall campaign against the Democratic incumbent.
