Georgia Republicans Battle to Challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Georgia Republicans are scrambling to unite behind a candidate capable of defeating Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November. The GOP primary features Rep. Mike Collins, Rep. Buddy Carter, and outsider candidate Derek Dooley. Party leaders remain divided over whether a strong MAGA candidate or a political outsider offers the best path to victory.

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Georgia Senate Race Quick Looks

• Republicans are battling for the chance to challenge Sen. Jon Ossoff
• Mike Collins is campaigning as a strong Trump ally
• Derek Dooley is backed by Gov. Brian Kemp
• Buddy Carter has focused attacks on Collins during debates
• Trump has not endorsed a candidate in the primary
• Republicans fear another close Senate race in Georgia
• Ossoff remains critical to Democratic Senate hopes
• Kemp declined to run for Senate himself
• GOP leaders worry about appealing to moderate voters
• A runoff election is possible if no candidate wins outright

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Deep Look

Georgia Republicans Face High-Stakes Senate Primary

Georgia Republicans are entering a critical Senate primary battle as they search for a candidate capable of defeating Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in one of the nation’s most important 2026 races.

The crowded Republican contest reflects growing anxiety inside the GOP after Democrats repeatedly won key Senate races in Georgia despite the state’s broader Republican leanings.

Rep. Mike Collins, Rep. Buddy Carter, and political newcomer Derek Dooley are competing for the nomination ahead of Tuesday’s primary election.

President Donald Trump has not endorsed a candidate, increasing the likelihood of a costly runoff election next month that could further divide Republicans before the general election campaign begins.

If Ossoff wins reelection, Democrats would maintain one of their most important Senate seats in a state Trump carried during the 2024 presidential election.

Republicans Worry About Moderate Voters

At campaign stops across Georgia, Republicans are openly debating how to balance support for Trump’s MAGA movement with the need to attract moderate and independent voters.

During a recent campaign event in Acworth, local Republican official Gary Waldrep directly questioned Mike Collins about how he planned to appeal to “middle-of-the-road” voters who may still be uneasy about Trump.

“I watch the polls just like everybody else,” Waldrep said. “I know it’s going to be close.”

The concern reflects broader Republican frustrations after Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock won multiple Senate races in Georgia over the past six years, often defeating candidates closely aligned with Trump.

Even though Republicans continue controlling Georgia’s state government, Democrats have demonstrated growing strength in statewide federal races.

Mike Collins Embraces MAGA Identity

Mike Collins has built his campaign around his close alignment with Trump and the “Make America Great Again” movement.

The two-term congressman and trucking company owner presents himself as a conservative fighter willing to aggressively defend Republican priorities.

“I have proven that I can deliver for the state of Georgia,” Collins said during a campaign appearance. “I can even do it with bipartisan legislation. And I never compromise my conservative values.”

Collins has benefited from representing a district near Atlanta, giving him stronger visibility in Georgia’s largest media market.

He also gained national attention for sponsoring the Lakin Riley Act, legislation signed by Trump requiring immigrants accused of certain crimes to remain detained without bond.

However, Collins’ aggressive social media style has generated controversy.

One of his most criticized posts involved sharing a video showing University of Mississippi students taunting a Black woman while writing: “Ole Miss taking care of business.”

Supporters view Collins as an unapologetic conservative fighter, while critics argue his approach could alienate moderate suburban voters needed to win statewide.

Derek Dooley Positions Himself as Outsider

Derek Dooley, a former college football coach and attorney, is attempting to position himself as the political outsider best equipped to defeat Ossoff.

Dooley has the support of outgoing Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who declined pressure from national Republicans to enter the Senate race himself.

Instead, Kemp recruited Dooley, a longtime family friend and son of legendary football coach Vince Dooley.

“My goal is here is to win our Senate seat back,” Kemp said while introducing Dooley at a campaign event. “We need a political outsider to do that.”

Dooley argues that policy differences between Republican candidates are minimal and that electability should be the deciding factor.

“I’m gonna work with President Trump, but for you,” Dooley says in one campaign advertisement.

The 57-year-old candidate believes his lack of political baggage gives him a stronger chance against Ossoff in a competitive general election.

“I come from a whole different world than they come from,” Dooley said. “Both of those guys represent everything that I’m running against.”

Buddy Carter Attacks Rivals Amid Tough Campaign

Rep. Buddy Carter is also fighting for momentum despite representing a smaller Savannah-area district that historically has not produced statewide Republican candidates.

The veteran congressman and pharmacist has focused heavily on ethics concerns involving Collins.

Carter highlighted a House ethics investigation examining whether Collins improperly hired the girlfriend of a former chief of staff using taxpayer funds.

“If taxpayers can’t trust you to properly steward their money, how can they trust you to be a U.S. senator?” Carter said during a debate.

Collins dismissed the criticism and suggested polling showed Carter trailing significantly.

Financial challenges have also affected Carter’s campaign, with advertising spending slowing during the final weeks before the primary.

Jon Ossoff Remains Key Democratic Target

For Republicans nationally, defeating Jon Ossoff remains one of the party’s top Senate priorities.

Ossoff’s seat is considered essential to Democratic hopes of maintaining Senate influence because it is the only Democratic-held Senate seat up for reelection in a state Trump won during the last presidential election cycle.

Republicans believe Georgia offers one of their best pickup opportunities in 2026, but divisions within the GOP continue fueling uncertainty.

Kemp argued that outsider candidates have recently performed best against Democratic incumbents nationwide, pointing to successful Republican Senate candidates in Ohio, Montana, and Pennsylvania.

“It comes down to who can beat Jon Ossoff,” Dooley said.

With tensions rising between traditional conservatives, MAGA loyalists, and establishment Republicans, Georgia’s Senate race is shaping up as one of the defining political battles of the 2026 election cycle.

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