Insurance Commissioner John King and longtime coastal Georgia lawmaker U.S. Representative Buddy Carter are already in the race. Derek Dooley, a former football coach, is also preparing a run and has employed two of Kemp’s most important political operators.
However, Collins’ supporters see a chance for his tough, MAGA-leaning style of politics.
In 2022, he defeated a Trump-backed opponent in a hard runoff to win his deep-red northeast Georgia district. He is the son of the late U.S. Representative Mac Collins.He has established a reputation as a political tussler and legislative worker since coming to Washington.
He became the first new lawmaker to sponsor a bill signed by Democratic President Joe Biden. Additionally, the first bill that Trump signed into law after taking office again in January was a crackdown on immigration that Collins supported and was named after Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was killed.
Collins has toured the nation advocating for other MAGA supporters and showcasing his idea of an America First Congress. Additionally, he is well-known in Georgia GOP circles, having attracted hundreds to a rally in May when he criticized Ossoff.
He has won over Trump supporters with his controversial memes and culture war broadsides. They have, however, also generated debate. Critics have called some of his writings racist or xenophobic, and he received bipartisan criticism last year for promoting conspiracy theories.
How a Collins run may impact Kemp’s continued attempts to work out a consensus candidate with Trump is unclear. Dooley’s recent hiring of prominent Kemp backers suggested a potential alliance, and the governor has urged contributors to keep their powder dry while negotiations continue.
In contrast, Ossoff is viewed as a strong opponent as well as a vulnerable Democrat who is the only incumbent senator seeking reelection in a state that Trump won. He has already pledged to turn the campaign into a referendum on Trump and banked over $15.4 million.
Collins seems prepared to follow suit. Framing himself as a MAGA supporter, he has been hinting at a Senate run for months. Earlier this month, he stated that he would closely speak with Trump and his political team before entering the race.
I adore my current job. I believe I have been successful for the state and my district. “I adore my district,” Collins remarked. However, I am also aware that sometimes you have to do what you have to do, not what you want to do.
Sarah Peacock of the AJC is credited.
Sarah Peacock of the AJC is credited.
