Trump Endorses Mike Collins in Georgia Senate Runoff

President Donald Trump endorsed Rep. Mike Collins in the Georgia Republican U.S. Senate primary runoff through a Truth Social post early on June 14, 2026. The move came two days before the June 16 runoff between Collins and Derek Dooley. It sets up a direct test of influence between Trump and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp ahead of the November general election against Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff.

Endorsement Delivered Days Before Runoff

Trump posted the endorsement on Sunday morning, describing Collins as a "true Friend, Fighter, and WARRIOR" who has stood with him "from the very beginning." He added his "Complete and Total Endorsement." The timing leaves little room for further campaigning before voters decide on Tuesday. Multiple outlets confirmed the post matches the same event.

Collins, a U.S. House member aligned with the MAGA wing, now carries the president's explicit backing into the final stretch. Dooley, a former University of Georgia football coach, enters the runoff with support from the governor's network but without a comparable national endorsement. The two-candidate field emerged after the May 19 primary failed to produce a majority winner.

Kemp-Backed Candidate Faces Trump Challenge

Dooley secured Kemp's support early in the cycle, positioning him as the establishment choice in a state where the governor has clashed repeatedly with Trump since 2020. Trump's intervention highlights the ongoing split within Georgia Republicans between the president's loyalists and Kemp's allies. The endorsement effectively nationalizes the runoff contest.

Collins benefits from the late surge in visibility that often accompanies a Trump nod in low-turnout primaries. Dooley must rely on Kemp's organizational strength and local name recognition to counter the national attention. Past Georgia races have shown that Trump endorsements can shift voter preferences sharply in the final days when base turnout matters most.

November Stakes and Candidate Records

The runoff winner will face Ossoff, who won the seat in the 2021 special election and defended it in 2022. A Collins victory would give Trump a proven ally in the Senate race. A Dooley win would test whether Kemp's preferred candidate can still prevail in a Trump-dominated primary environment.

Collins has represented Georgia's 10th District since 2023 and voted consistently with Trump priorities in Congress. Dooley entered politics more recently and has emphasized his outsider status while courting the governor's donors and volunteers. Both candidates have focused on inflation, border security, and opposition to Ossoff's agenda in their campaigns.

Key Dates and Next Steps

Voters in the runoff will choose the Republican nominee on June 16. Early voting has already concluded in most counties, leaving Election Day as the decisive moment. The outcome will determine which candidate carries the party's banner against Ossoff in the fall.