Trump Endorses Mike Collins in High-Stakes Georgia Senate Runoff

President Donald Trump has made an 11th-hour endorsement in Georgia's Republican Senate runoff, backing Rep. Mike Collins over former football coach Derek Dooley in a race that could decide whether the GOP holds its slim Senate majority in November's midterm elections.

Why the Georgia Senate Runoff Matters Nationally

The winner of Tuesday's GOP runoff will face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in the general election. Republicans view Ossoff as the most vulnerable Senate Democrat seeking re-election and are heavily targeting the first-term senator. Georgia remains a critical battleground, and the outcome could tip the balance of power in the Senate.

Collins, who represents Georgia's 10th Congressional District between Atlanta and Augusta, is the son of the late Rep. Mac Collins. He and his wife own and operate a trucking company, giving him a strong private sector background that resonates with conservative voters.

Trump's Late Entry Shifts the Dynamics

While Collins has long showcased his MAGA credentials and steadfast support for the president, Trump remained neutral in the Georgia primary and runoff until Saturday. The endorsement gives Collins significant momentum heading into Tuesday's vote.

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 popular term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp, a lifelong friend. Kemp and his wife, Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp, have regularly appeared with Dooley on the campaign trail, and the governor's top political advisor serves as a senior consultant for Dooley's Senate bid.

Candidates Trade Barbs Over Experience and Baggage

Dooley has emphasized his outsider image and targeted Collins as a political insider. Collins has fired back, criticizing Dooley for a lack of political experience and for living outside of Georgia for much of his adult life.

Both candidates carry some political baggage. The House Ethics Committee has been investigating Collins over allegations he paid an intern in a district office who had a romantic relationship with his congressional chief of staff but did not actually perform any work. Collins denied any wrongdoing and kept the staffer on his campaign.

That staffer was later fired after taking to social media on behalf of the campaign to mock the wife of a Dooley campaign advisor who attempted suicide after accusing Matt Lauer of rape. Collins apologized and called the tweet