Republican Congressman Mike Collins is gaining serious momentum in Georgia’s U.S. Senate runoff race, according to new polling that shows him widening the gap against former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley.
The May 19 Republican primary ended with Collins leading the field at 40.5 percent, while Dooley finished in second place with 30.9 percent. Neither candidate crossed the required 50 percent plus one threshold needed to avoid a runoff, setting up a high-stakes battle for the GOP nomination.
Now, fresh polling suggests Collins is building even stronger support heading into the runoff as conservative voters rally behind his America-first message and proven Republican record.
Republicans see Collins as a candidate closely aligned with President Donald Trump’s priorities on border security, economic growth, and fighting the Washington establishment. Meanwhile, Democrats are likely watching nervously as GOP enthusiasm in Georgia continues looking far stronger than the media predicted. Again.
Supporters argue Collins has benefited from strong grassroots backing and growing recognition across the state, especially among conservative voters frustrated with establishment politics and eager for candidates willing to aggressively defend Republican priorities in Washington.
Dooley entered the race with high name recognition due to his football background, but critics say celebrity and coaching experience only go so far when voters are looking for proven political leadership. Winning SEC games and winning Senate races are apparently not always the same thing.
The Georgia Senate contest is expected to become one of the most closely watched races of the 2026 election cycle, with Republicans aiming to strengthen their Senate majority while Democrats continue struggling to regain momentum nationally.
Conservatives believe Georgia remains a critical battleground state where strong Republican turnout and Trump-aligned messaging can deliver major victories once again.
As the runoff approaches, Collins appears increasingly well-positioned to consolidate conservative support and carry Republican momentum into the general election fight ahead.
