Derek Dooley, the outsider candidate for the U.S. Senate, has called out Representative Mike Collins (R-GA) for allegedly using nearly one hundred thousand dollars in taxpayer money to pay for television ads promoting his Senate campaign.
This is the latest in a series of allegations relating to the misuse of taxpayer funds by Congressman Collins’ office, which is also under an ongoing ethics investigation.
That investigation concerns Rep. Collins' Chief of Staff, Brandon Philips, and his hiring of a romantic interest as an intern. It is alleged that this intern received special favors and privileges despite contributing little to no work.
The New Allegation
Rep. Collins is running television ads in the Atlanta media market with a $95,232 cable buy, airing this ad under the guise of ‘"franking." Franking is a privilege given to members of Congress to communicate with their constituents regarding official congressional business, but it does not include political campaign activity.
Collins’ advertising buy started on January 23rd and ends on March 22nd, which infringes on the 60-day blackout restriction for taxpayer-funded advertisements by congressional offices before primary or general elections, given the Republican primary for U.S. Senate will take place on May 19th.
In response, Derek Dooley issued a lengthy statement, slamming the representative for allegedly using taxpayer money to fund his campaign initiatives.
“This is blatant, taxpayer-funded corruption by Congressman Mike Collins,” Dooley stated. “Instead of using his own campaign funds to pay for television advertisements three months before the primary, he is using nearly $100,000 of your tax dollars.”
He characterized Collins as just another corrupt D.C. politician looking to finance his own ambitions instead of aiding the American people.
“This corruption from D.C. politicians who abuse the system to stay in power must end,” Dooley added. “As a U.S. Senator, I will introduce legislation to stop taxpayer-funded campaigning and ensure the money Georgians send to Washington is used to fund the priorities of the American people, not the political ambitions of self-serving politicians.”
.@MikeCollinsGA should immediately return the $95,000 of taxpayer money he’s spending on TV right now to boost his Senate campaign.
The corruption from D.C. politicians who abuse the system to stay in power must end.
In the U.S. Senate, I’ll introduce legislation to stop… pic.twitter.com/LvfX2SPOvV
— Derek Dooley (@DerekDooleyGA) February 12, 2026
