Georgia Runoff Election: Collins vs. Dooley for GOP Senate Candidate

Republican Representative Mike Collins of Georgia has advanced to a runoff election against former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley. This follows Tuesday night’s primary election, where neither candidate secured 50 percent of the vote, necessitating another contest to decide the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate.

Following the statewide race on Tuesday, a snap poll conducted by Quantus Insights on Wednesday showed Collins leading Dooley by double digits. Corbin Keown, spokesperson for Collins’ campaign, stated in an email to Newsweek, “Despite being outspent 15-to-1 in advertising, Mike Collins came out with 40% of the vote in a five-way primary on Tuesday because Georgians recognize and reward hard work, authenticity, and a record of results. Derek has been unable to demonstrate any of those characteristics, and voters are acting accordingly.” Newsweek sought comments from Dooley’s campaign regarding the poll.

What To Know

According to the Associated Press, Tuesday night’s primary saw Collins receiving 40.5 percent of the vote, Dooley securing 30.2 percent, and Earl L. Carter obtaining 25.1 percent. The winner of the Collins-Dooley contest will face Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in November’s high-stakes senatorial race in Georgia.

The Quantus Insights snap poll indicated Collins holds 53.5 percent of the vote compared to Dooley’s 37.2 percent. The poll, conducted with 782 likely Republican Georgia primary voters from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, was adjusted for a projected Republican runoff electorate, with an effective sample size of 739. It has a margin of error of 3.9 percent.

Collins expressed gratitude via X after the primary results, saying, “Still humbled by last night, but this conservative workhorse doesn’t stop. Wheels up to DC this morning delivering on President Trump’s America First agenda. Serving you in Congress is the honor of a lifetime.”

Dooley also commented on X Wednesday, “If we’re going to beat Jon Ossoff in November, we need a political outsider who can go on offense and attack his failed record. I’m in this race because I want to serve the people of Georgia. And in the U.S. Senate, I’m going to deliver results and put YOU first!”

Georgia Republican Governor Brian Kemp has endorsed Dooley after deciding not to run for the seat himself. President Donald Trump has refrained from endorsing any candidate in this race.

Lauren French, spokesperson for Senate Majority PAC—a Democratic super PAC—remarked in an email to Newsweek, “Today is a reminder of just how weak this Republican field is. Georgia voters have been subjected to months of these candidates, and still, not one of them could close the deal. Personally, we look forward to four more weeks of their in-fighting and three-ring circus, but can’t imagine Georgia feels the same.” She added, “Come November, Georgians will have a clear choice: whoever limps out of the Republican primary versus Jon Ossoff—a senator with a real record, real results, and the full confidence of the people he serves.”

The runoff battle is set for June 16.

What Polls Show

An Echelon Insights poll from early April indicated Collins held 44 percent hypothetical support, compared to Ossoff’s 51 percent. This poll included 407 likely Georgia voters, with a 6.5 percent margin of error.

Additionally, an Emerson College poll from early March showed Ossoff with 49 percent of the hypothetical vote compared to Dooley’s 41 percent, with 10 percent undecided. Ossoff also led Collins with 48 percent compared to 43 percent, with 9 percent undecided. This poll surveyed 1,000 likely voters in Georgia from February 28 to March 2, with a margin of error of 3 percent.