Quick Summary: Former President Donald Trump endorsed Rep. Mike Collins in the Georgia GOP runoff against Derek Dooley, intensifying a rift with establishment Republicans backing Dooley. Collins leads as a clear Trump loyalist and sponsor of the Laken Riley Act, while Dooley — backed by Gov. Brian Kemp — casts himself as an outsider who could be more electable against Sen. Jon Ossoff. The endorsement underscores Trump’s continuing influence over GOP primaries and raises stakes for November’s Senate contest.
Trump Backs Mike Collins In Georgia Runoff, Deepening Rift With GOP Establishment
U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., speaks at his primary election watch party in Jackson, Ga. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)(Arvin Temkar/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
ATLANTA — Days before Georgia’s U.S. Senate runoff, former President Donald Trump endorsed U.S. Rep. Mike Collins over former college football coach Derek Dooley, injecting his influence into a high-stakes Republican contest that will determine who faces Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.
The Race So Far
Collins finished first in the May 19 primary but fell short of the 40% threshold required to avoid a runoff, leaving a large share of Republican voters uncommitted. Dooley, a political newcomer backed by outgoing Gov. Brian Kemp, has positioned himself as a political outsider who could be more electable in the general election.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Derek Dooley greets supporters at his election night party Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)(Daniel Varnado/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Trump’s Endorsement
In an early Sunday social post, Trump called Collins “a true friend, fighter, and WARRIOR,” and said the congressman “has been with me from the very beginning.” He also wrote that he did not know Dooley well and noted Dooley’s history of not voting in several past elections.
The endorsement underscores Trump’s continued ability to shape Republican primaries and deepens tensions between the former president and establishment Republicans who favor other nominees.
What Each Candidate Is Saying
Collins has embraced his alignment with Trump and has made loyalty to the ex-president a central message of his campaign. He has also repeated claims questioning the integrity of the 2020 presidential election, a position that resonates with many MAGA voters.
Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia and gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottom share the stage at a joint campaign rally in Atlanta on Sunday, May 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Bill Barrow)(AP Photo/Bill Barrow)
Dooley and his top surrogate, Gov. Kemp, argue that Dooley’s outsider status and fresh profile give Republicans a better chance to unseat Ossoff, who is the only Democratic senator up for reelection in a state Donald Trump carried in 2024. Kemp, who once clashed with Trump over efforts to overturn the 2020 results, recruited Dooley — a childhood friend — to run and has actively campaigned for him.
Policy Notes And Political Stakes
Collins sponsored the Laken Riley Act, a 2025 Georgia law that requires detention of immigrants when charged with certain crimes — a measure Republicans say complicates Ossoff’s standing because he initially voted against it before later supporting it. Both campaigns are framing the runoff around electability and who can best beat Ossoff in November.
Broader Context
Trump’s endorsement in Georgia follows earlier interventions in GOP primaries, including high-profile support that helped reshape several contests. The move highlights a broader struggle inside the Republican Party between Trump-aligned candidates and more traditional or establishment figures.
Outlook: The runoff will test whether Trump’s sway with the GOP base can overcome arguments for a fresh, less polarizing nominee in a closely watched general election matchup.
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