Trump makes endorsement in Georgia Senate runoff: ‘True friend’

With the Georgia U.S. Senate runoff just days away, President Donald Trump has officially thrown his weight behind U.S. Rep. Mike Collins. This move sets up a high-stakes showdown against former football coach Derek Dooley as both men vie for the Republican nomination and the chance to face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff this November.

A Clash of Republican Visions

The upcoming Tuesday runoff has become a focal point of the midterm elections, highlighting a deepening rift within the GOP. Collins, a trucking company owner and second-term congressman, has firmly entrenched himself in the "Make America Great Again" movement. In an early Sunday social media endorsement, Trump praised Collins as a "true friend, fighter, and WARRIOR" who has been loyal to him since the start.

On the other side stands Dooley, a political newcomer backed by outgoing Gov. Brian Kemp. While Dooley faces questions about his voting history—having acknowledged not casting a ballot for nearly two decades before backing Trump in 2024—his supporters argue his outsider status makes him a more viable contender against Ossoff in the general election.

The Momentum Factor

Collins currently holds the lead from the May 19 primary, though neither candidate surpassed the 40% threshold. Trump’s endorsement serves as a significant boost in a political climate where his influence remains a defining factor. Collins has leaned into this association, telling supporters on primary night, "Everybody knows that I do best with the MAGA base. It’s because they know I’ve always been with President Trump."

The race highlights a broader conflict between Trump-aligned candidates and traditionalist figures like Kemp, who has previously clashed with the former president. The dynamic mirrors recent primaries in states like Kentucky and Texas, where Trump’s endorsements proved pivotal in clearing the field of institutional-favored candidates.

Path to the General Election

Policy records are taking center stage as voters prepare for Tuesday. Collins has built his platform on a record that includes sponsoring the 2025 Laken Riley Act, which mandates the detention of immigrants charged with specific crimes. He argues that this focus on results is the key to unseating Ossoff, stating, "You don’t beat Jon Ossoff by having no record. You win by having a record of results."

Conversely, Dooley’s campaign emphasizes electability, with Kemp serving as his primary surrogate. As the countdown to Tuesday continues, the Republican party in Georgia is deciding between a proven loyalist and an outsider-focused approach, with the ultimate goal of reclaiming a Senate seat that has remained elusive for the party since 2016.