Republican Rep. Mike Collins defeated former football coach Derek Dooley in Georgia's Senate primary runoff on Tuesday, securing the nomination to challenge Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.
Collins, backed by a late endorsement from President Donald Trump, prevailed with approximately 53 percent of the vote. The Associated Press and Decision Desk HQ called the race shortly after polls closed.
The contest highlighted tensions within the Republican Party between Trump and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who supported Dooley. Trump endorsed Collins over the weekend after early voting had ended, criticizing Dooley for his past comments on the 2020 election.
Ossoff, who has raised significant funds and maintained strong polling, now faces Collins in a race viewed as critical for Senate control. The Democratic campaign described both Republican contenders as tied to Trump.
Collins shifted his position on abortion during the campaign to align with Georgia's heartbeat law, which includes exceptions, following earlier statements expressing a stricter stance.
