Rep. Mike Collins captured 40.5 percent of the vote in the May 19 Republican primary for Georgia's U.S. Senate seat. Derek Dooley finished second with 30.2 percent, ahead of Rep. Buddy Carter's 25.1 percent, sending the top two candidates into a June 16 runoff.
Primary Vote Shares Reveal Fragmented Field
Collins, the self-styled MAGA candidate, built his lead on strong support in rural and suburban districts outside Atlanta. Dooley, the former University of Georgia football coach backed by Gov. Brian Kemp, consolidated establishment voters who rejected Carter's bid.
The three-way split left no candidate near the 50 percent threshold required to avoid a runoff. Carter's elimination narrows the contest to a direct test between Collins's national conservative appeal and Dooley's state-level institutional support.
| Candidate | Vote Share (May 19, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Mike Collins | 40.5% |
| Derek Dooley | 30.2% |
| Buddy Carter | 25.1% |
Trump Silence Keeps Endorsement as Open Variable
President Trump has not endorsed either candidate as of June 7. Collins has positioned himself as the stronger Trump ally, while Dooley relies on Kemp's network of donors and local officials.
The absence of a Trump endorsement leaves both campaigns uncertain about which message will dominate the final week. Collins can claim the outsider lane without direct competition from a Trump favorite, yet he must still prove he can expand beyond his primary base.
