Republican Mike Collins, Athens’ representative in Congress, entered the race for U.S. Senate on Monday, joining what could become a crowded field of competitors to face incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff and opening up Collins’ House seat.
“We need a senator who works for Georgia, not the California crazies or New York nutjobs,” Collins said in a video announcing his candidacy. “I don’t know who Jon Ossoff really works for, but it sure as heck isn’t Georgia.”
Lexy Doherty, the Democrat running in Collins’ 10th District, responded: “Collins was always more carnival barker than legislator. But that opens up opportunities for his retirement next year. The Elberton 12-County Fair is always hiring. You put a barker like Collins out by the tilt-a-whirl and just watch those tickets fly.”
The trucking company owner from Jackson and son of the late congressman Mac Collins has made a name for himself as sort of a Marjorie Taylor Greene-lite, posting conspiracy theories, memes and occasional antisemitic comments on the social media site X.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Georgia attacked Collins for saying he wants retirees to “get off Medicare, get off Social Security, get back in the workforce.”
Collins did not mention his vote for President Trump’s “big beautiful bill” cutting Medicaid in his announcement, but did talk about the Laken Riley Act, the immigration law he sponsored in the wake of the Athens nursing student’s murder, as well as his opposition to transgender girls playing girls’ sports.
He joins fellow U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter of Savannah in the GOP primary. State Insurance Commissioner John King recently dropped out, but football coach Derek Dooley, son of Vince, is expected to enter the race soon—with Gov. Brian Kemp’s backing.
Whoever emerges will face a formidable fundraiser and campaigner in Ossoff, but one who could be vulnerable due to Georgia’s status as a red-leaning purple state. Backlash to the Trump administration could help Ossoff, though, especially against a candidate like Carter or Collins who’s tied themself closely to MAGA.
A massive scramble is also likely in the GOP primary for Collins’ deep-red congressional seat. Eight Republicans ran in 2022, the last time the seat was open. One oft-mentioned potential candidate is state Rep. Houston Gaines (R-Athens), who is sitting on nearly $1 million in his campaign war chest.
Like what you just read? Support Flagpole by making a donation today. Every dollar you give helps fund our ongoing mission to provide Athens with quality, independent journalism.
