Georgia GOP Senate Primary Advances to June Runoff

Rep. Mike Collins finished first in Georgia’s Republican Senate primary on Tuesday but will face a runoff after failing to reach the 50 percent threshold required to win outright. With more than 80 percent of ballots counted, Collins held about 40.5 percent of the vote while Derek Dooley stood at roughly 30 percent. Rep. Buddy Carter placed third with 25.3 percent.

16 Georgia law requires a June 16 runoff between the top two finishers. The winner will challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in the November general election. Collins said in a post on X, “Thank you, Georgia. Love y’all. Dooley received the endorsement of Gov.

Brian Kemp. President Trump has not endorsed a candidate in the primary. Republicans have expressed concern that the extended primary contest will leave the eventual nominee with less time to prepare for the general election. Ossoff has raised more than $14 million in the first quarter and holds roughly $31 million in cash on hand.

“The political establishment had the money.”

“— Club for Growth PAC statement, May 19, 2026 (Washington Times)”