Collins defeats Dooley for spot on Republican ticket in U.S. Senate race
By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Georgia Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins defeated Derek Dooley in a U.S. Senate primary runoff on Tuesday.
Collins received a last-minute endorsement from President Donald Trump days before Tuesday’s primary. Dooley, the son of the late University of Georgia football coaching legend Vince Dooley and himself former head coach of the University of Tennessee, was endorsed by Gov. Brian Kemp. The governor joined Dooley on the campaign trail the day before the runoff.
Collins had 56% of the votes counted to Dooley’s 44% shortly before 9 p.m.
Collins will face the Democratic incumbent, Sen. Jon Ossoff, in November.
The Senate Majority PAC, which backs Ossoff, called Collins a dream candidate.
“He treats Congress like a money-making scheme for his family business, an ethics-free zone, and a conspiracy theory clearinghouse – sometimes all in the same week,” said Lauren French in a statement issued shortly after Collins’ win. “This unelectable nepo baby doesn’t have what it takes to beat Jon Ossoff.”
Two other statewide races have also been decided. State Rep. Tim Fleming defeated former state Rep. Vernon Jones to win the Republican nomination for secretary of state. Fleming will face Penny Brown Reynolds, winner over Dana Barrett in the Democratic primary.