US President Donald Trump has endorsed Congressman Mike Collins in Georgia’s Republican Senate runoff, adding a new dimension to one of the most closely watched races ahead of the November midterm elections.
Trump announced his support through a social media post, describing Collins as a loyal supporter of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement and a strong ally. The endorsement comes just days before Collins faces former football coach Derek Dooley in a runoff election that will determine the Republican nominee for the US Senate seat.
The winner of Tuesday’s contest will challenge incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in November. Republicans view the Georgia seat as one of their best opportunities to strengthen their position in the Senate, where they currently hold a narrow majority.
Trump’s endorsement places him at odds with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who has backed Dooley. While Kemp and Trump have generally aligned on many issues, tensions have lingered since the disputed aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.
During the Republican primary held in May, Collins secured the largest share of votes with about 40 percent, while Dooley finished second with roughly 30 percent, forcing the runoff.
Political observers remain divided on how much impact Trump’s endorsement will have, particularly because it came after early voting had already concluded. Recent election cycles have shown mixed results for candidates endorsed by the president, with some winning key races while others have failed to gain enough momentum.
The Georgia contest is being closely monitored nationally because control of the Senate remains a major battleground ahead of the midterm elections. Democrats are seeking to regain control of Congress, while Republicans are working to maintain their majority and support Trump’s legislative agenda.
In addition to Georgia, several other states, including Alabama and Oklahoma, are also holding important primary elections this week as both major parties prepare for the November vote.
