A new poll shows Rep. Mike Collins has expanded his lead ahead of Georgia’s Republican Senate runoff, giving the congressman additional momentum as he seeks the GOP nomination to challenge Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.
The May 19 Republican primary ended without a winner after no candidate secured the required majority needed to avoid a runoff.
Collins finished first with 40.5 percent of the vote, while former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley came in second with 30.9 percent.
Advertisement
The two Republicans are now headed to a June 16 runoff election that will determine who advances to the general election against Ossoff.
A new survey conducted by JMC Analytics and Polling suggests Collins has widened his advantage since the primary.
According to the poll, Collins now leads Dooley by 16 percentage points among likely Republican runoff voters.
The survey also found Collins performing better among voters who remain undecided.
Thirty-nine percent of undecided voters said they were leaning toward Collins, compared to 27 percent who said they were leaning toward Dooley.
The poll additionally showed Collins holding an edge in voter favorability ratings.
Advertisement
Twenty-five percent of respondents described Collins as “very favorable,” while 16 percent said the same about Dooley.
The race has become one of the most closely watched Republican contests in the country because the winner will face Ossoff, one of the most vulnerable Democratic senators seeking reelection in 2026.
Collins has built his campaign around conservative priorities including border security, immigration enforcement, support for veterans, and fiscal responsibility.
The two-term congressman has been a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump’s agenda and has frequently aligned himself with the administration’s policies.
Collins is perhaps best known nationally for introducing the Laken Riley Act in the House of Representatives.
The legislation was named after Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, whose murder became a major issue in the national debate over illegal immigration.
Collins played a key role in advancing the bill through the House and has regularly highlighted the legislation on the campaign trail.
He has also emphasized support for small businesses and working-class Americans as central themes of his campaign.
Despite Collins’ strong ties to the Trump movement, the president has not yet endorsed a candidate in the race.
That decision has left both campaigns competing for conservative voters without a formal endorsement from the White House.
Dooley, meanwhile, has sought to carve out a different lane in the race.
The former football coach has focused heavily on what he describes as a “Georgia First” agenda.
His campaign has emphasized public safety, workforce development, education, job training, and affordability issues affecting Georgia families.
Dooley has argued that his background outside of elected office provides him with a different perspective and leadership style.
He has also received a significant endorsement from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.
The support of Kemp has given Dooley credibility among many establishment Republicans and voters who remain loyal to the governor.
The contrast between the candidates has helped define the runoff campaign.
Collins has leaned into his record in Congress and his support for Trump’s policy priorities.
Dooley has focused on his management experience and his vision for addressing state-specific concerns.
With less than two weeks remaining before the runoff, both campaigns are expected to intensify their efforts to turn out supporters.
The latest polling suggests Collins enters the final stretch with a clear advantage.
The winner of the June 16 runoff will move on to face Ossoff in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country, Red State reported.
Republicans view the Georgia seat as one of their top pickup opportunities in 2026, while Democrats see Ossoff as a key part of their effort to maintain influence in the Senate.
The runoff election is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
