Georgia Runoff Election: Key Details and Candidates’ Standings

Runoff Election Overview

Republican Representative Mike Collins of Georgia is set to face off against Derek Dooley, former University of Tennessee football coach, in a runoff election. This follows a primary election where neither candidate secured over 50% of the vote to claim the GOP candidacy for the U.S. Senate.

A recent survey from JMC Analytics and Polling indicates Collins leads Dooley significantly. According to the poll, 50% of respondents favor Collins while 36% support Dooley. Additionally, 15% remain undecided.

The winner of this runoff will contest against Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in November, marking a critical senatorial battle for Georgia.

Newsweek reached out to the campaigns of both Collins and Dooley for comments on the current standings.

Poll Insights

The JMC Analytics and Polling surveyed 600 respondents on May 26 and 27 regarding the Georgia Republican runoff. The poll reflects a margin of error of 4%.

Among those undecided in their support for either candidate, 39% are leaning towards Collins, while 27% favor Dooley. Meanwhile, 34% remain undecided. In a forced choice scenario, Collins received 55% support, compared to 39% for Dooley, with 7% undecided.

Collins holds a favorability rating of 61%, with 18% viewing him unfavorably. On the other hand, Dooley has a favorability rating of 50% versus an unfavorable view from 19% of respondents.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has expressed his support for Dooley following his own decision not to run for the Senate seat. As of now, President Donald Trump has not endorsed a candidate.

Snap Poll Results

A quick poll by Quantus Insights after the primary election shows Collins with 53.5% of the vote compared to Dooley’s 37.2%. The poll surveyed 782 likely Republican voters on May 20 and notes a margin of error of 3.9%.

Further polling by InsiderAdvantage, conducted on May 20 and 21 among 800 likely voters, reflects Collins leading with 46%, while Dooley follows closely at 41%, leaving 13% undecided. This poll carries a margin of error of 3.46%.

InsiderAdvantage Pollster Matt Towery remarks that the runoff might see low voter participation. He emphasizes the need for candidates to focus on dedicated Republican voters who consistently engage in politics. Towery also notes the influence of endorsements, with Trump’s support boosting Burt Jones in another race and Collins benefiting from his established presence in Georgia politics, while Kemp’s endorsement gives strength to Dooley’s campaign.