Trump Endorses Mike Collins In Georgia Runoff After Iowa Loss
President Donald Trump made a last-minute endorsement Saturday in Georgia's Republican Senate runoff, backing Rep. Mike Collins over former football coach Derek Dooley in a race that could determine whether the GOP holds its slim Senate majority. The move comes just weeks after Trump's endorsement of Iowa Rep. Randy Feenstra fell short against a grassroots conservative challenger, raising questions about the limits of the president's influence in Republican primaries.
What Is At Stake In Georgia's Senate Runoff?
The winner of Tuesday's runoff will face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November's midterm elections. Republicans view Ossoff as the most vulnerable Senate Democrat seeking re-election and have made flipping his seat a top priority. Control of the Senate could hinge on the outcome in this battleground state.
Collins, a MAGA champion who represents Georgia's 10th Congressional District between Atlanta and Augusta, has long showcased his support for the president. He is the son of the late Rep. Mac Collins and founded a trucking company with his wife, giving him strong credentials as a conservative businessman who understands the economy from the ground up.
Dooley, a lawyer and former University of Tennessee football coach, is the son of legendary University of Georgia head coach Vince Dooley. He has the backing of term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp, a lifelong friend whose top political advisor serves as a senior consultant on Dooley's Senate bid. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp have regularly campaigned alongside Dooley.
Since no candidate topped 50% in last month's primary, Collins and Dooley advanced to the runoff. Trump had remained neutral until now.
How Does The Iowa Connection Matter?
For Iowa voters, the Georgia race carries a familiar lesson. Two weeks ago, Trump's endorsement of Rep. Randy Feenstra in the race to succeed retiring Gov. Kim Reynolds was not enough to carry the three-term congressman to victory. Feenstra was narrowly edged out by Zach Lahn, a businessman, farmer and former political strategist who was backed by the Make America Healthy Again movement aligned with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Turning Point USA, the powerful conservative organization co-founded by the late Charlie Kirk.
Lahn's victory demonstrated that grassroots energy and conservative organization can overcome even a presidential endorsement. Iowa conservatives proved that voters ultimately make their own decisions, weighing factors beyond any single endorsement. The result also highlighted the growing influence of the MAHA movement within the Republican coalition.
What Baggage Do The Candidates Carry?
Both Republicans have faced scrutiny during the campaign. The House Ethics Committee investigated Collins over allegations he paid an intern in a district office who had a romantic relationship with his chief of staff but did not perform any work. Collins denied wrongdoing and kept the staffer on his campaign until the individual posted on social media mocking the wife of a Dooley advisor who attempted suicide after accusing Matt Lauer of rape. Collins fired the staffer, deleted the post and called it