Georgia GOP Runoff: Collins vs. Dooley After Tight Primary Election

Republican Representative Mike Collins from Georgia is heading to a runoff election against former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley. Both candidates failed to secure 50 percent of the vote in the primary election on Tuesday night. This runoff will determine the GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate seat.

Following the state-wide election, Quantus Insights conducted a snap poll indicating Collins leads Dooley by a significant margin. Despite facing a spending disadvantage in advertising, Collins managed to secure 40.5 percent of the vote in a five-way primary, with Dooley getting 30.2 percent. Earl L. Carter received 25.1 percent.

Corbin Keown, spokesperson for Collins’ campaign, commented on these results with Newsweek, emphasizing Collins’ dedication and authenticity. Newsweek reached out to Dooley’s campaign for their reaction to the poll results.

“Despite being outspent 15-to-1 in advertising, Mike Collins came out with 40% of the vote in a five-way primary on Tuesday because Georgians recognize and reward hard work, authenticity, and a record of results,” Keown said, adding, “Derek has been unable to demonstrate any of those characteristics, and voters are acting accordingly.”

In the poll conducted by Quantus Insights, Collins received 53.5 percent of support compared to Dooley’s 37.2 percent among likely Republican voters in Georgia. The poll sampled 782 voters between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesday, with a margin of error of 3.9 percent.

After the primary, Collins expressed his gratitude on X, promising to continue working on President Trump’s agenda in Congress. Derek Dooley, also on X, emphasized the need for a political outsider to challenge Senator Jon Ossoff in November. Dooley promised to put Georgia voters first if elected.

Georgia’s Governor, Brian Kemp, has endorsed Dooley, deciding against running for the Senate. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has not supported any candidate in this race.

Lauren French, a spokesperson for Senate Majority PAC, characterized the Republican candidates as weak and expressed anticipation for the runoff election.

“Today is a reminder of just how weak this Republican field is. Georgia voters have been subjected to months of these candidates, and still, not one of them could close the deal,” French remarked. “Personally, we look forward to four more weeks of their in-fighting and three-ring circus, but can’t imagine Georgia feels the same.”

French continued, “Come November, Georgians will have a clear choice: whoever limps out of the Republican primary versus Jon Ossoff – a senator with a real record, real results, and the full confidence of the people he serves.”

Poll Results Overview

Recent polling suggests varied outcomes for Collins and Dooley if pitted against Ossoff. An Echelon Insights poll from early April shows Collins receiving 44 percent compared to Ossoff’s 51 percent among survey participants. This poll surveyed 407 likely voters with a 6.5 percent margin of error.

An Emerson College poll taken in early March reveals Ossoff leading against both candidates. Ossoff garnered 49 percent of the hypothetical vote over Dooley’s 41 percent, with 10 percent undecided; Ossoff also led Collins by 48 percent to 43 percent, with 9 percent undecided. This survey involved 1,000 likely Georgia voters, with a 3 percent margin of error.