Rep. Mike Collins advances to Georgia GOP Senate runoff, as two rivals battle for the other spot

2026 ElectionRep. Mike Collins advances to Georgia GOP Senate runoff, as two rivals battle for the other spotThe Republican nominee will take on Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00U.S. Representative Mike Collins in Peachtree City, Ga., in 2025.Elijah Nouvelage / AFP via Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 19, 2026, 9:33 PM EDTBy Bridget BowmanThe Republican Senate primary in Georgia is heading to a runoff, NBC News projects, with Rep. Mike Collins advancing to the June 16 contest. But it’s not clear yet who Collins will face.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Former football coach Derek Dooley, who is backed by Gov. Brian Kemp, and Rep. Buddy Carter are battling for that second runoff spot, since none of the candidates were able to win a majority of the primary vote. The winner will take on Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in one of the most consequential Senate races of the midterm elections.Former football coach and Republican candidate for US Senate Derek Dooley in Peachtree City, Ga., in 2025.Megan Varner / Getty Images fileIt is not clear if President Donald Trump will endorse a candidate in the runoff, after staying on the sidelines during the primary even as all three of the top candidates vied for his endorsement. Collins was widely expected to advance to a runoff, as he led the field in most public polling after spending the primary campaign stressing his MAGA bonafides and grassroots appeal. A trucking company owner who was first elected to Congress in 2022, Collins’ late father, Mac, also represented Georgia in Congress.Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., in the U.S. Capitol in March.Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images fileCollins’ closing TV ad in the primary featured footage of Trump praising the congressman, noting that he authored the Laken Riley Act, the first first bill Trump signed into law in his second term. The bil...