Mike Collins Secures Victory in Georgia GOP Senate Runoff

WHO:

CBS News - Rep. Mike Collins, Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, Derek Dooley, Buddy Carter, President Trump, Gov. Brian Kemp

CBS News - Collins is the owner of a trucking business and has represented Georgia in the House since 2023.

CBS News - Dooley is an attorney and the son of legendary University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley.

WHAT:

CBS News - Collins won the Republican Senate runoff in Georgia, defeating Dooley.

CBS News - Collins finished first in the runoff with almost 41% of the vote.

CBS News - Dooley won around 30% of the vote in the previous primary.

CBS News - Trump endorsed Collins, calling him a "true Friend, Fighter, and WARRIOR."

CBS News - The runoff was necessary because no candidate secured 50% of the vote in the primary.

CBS News - Ossoff is considered the most endangered member of his caucus this cycle.

WHERE:

CBS News - The events took place in Georgia.

WHEN:

CBS News - The general election is scheduled for November.

WHY:

CBS News - Republicans view Georgia as a key state to deliver a victory that could determine control of the Senate.

CBS News - Collins positioned himself as a staunch supporter of Trump, while Dooley presented himself as a political outsider.

HOW:

CBS News - Collins touted his sponsorship of an immigration bill named for Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was murdered by an undocumented immigrant in 2024.

CBS News - Dooley argued that the most important endorsement is that of the Georgia people.

(UPDATED June 17, 2026 01:51 UTC)

In a significant political development, Mike Collins has won the Republican Senate runoff in Georgia, defeating attorney Derek Dooley, who is the son of legendary University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley. Collins secured nearly 41% of the vote, with Trump endorsing him as a "true Friend, Fighter, and WARRIOR," while Dooley garnered around 30% in the previous primary. The general election is set for November, and Republicans see Georgia as a crucial state that could determine control of the Senate.