Despite Governor Brian Kemp's endorsement of former football coach Derek Dooley, state Representative Mike Collins (R) is still far ahead in the polls.
The pair, and four other Republican candidates, will face off in the primary May 19, 2026. The winner will head to the midterm election in November with incumbent Senator Jon Ossoff (D).
Almost every poll places Rep. Collins at the top by 10 or more percentage points, with Dooley coming in around third in the polls. U.S. Representative Buddy Carter has consistently claimed the second spot.
This comes after Rep. Collins announced quarter 1 campaign fundraising achievements Tuesday. His total campaign funds now top $2 million as the primary approaches, much more than the funds available to the next top candidates going into early voting.
"The strong haul nearly outraises Buddy Carter and failed, fired, and forgot-to-vote Derek Dooley combined," the press release announcing his campaign raisings for quarter 1 declared.
Dooley didn't vote in several elections over the past two decades, casting him even further outside the political sphere than he already is against his congressional opponents.
While Dooley leans into the political outsider brand, Rep. Collins reiterated his conservative workhorse mentality in his campaigning efforts, something that appears to be effective as he remains far ahead of both his closest opponents in the polls and continues to poll big-name endorsements.
Turning Point Action, the organization affiliated with the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, recently endorsed Collins, which is often a benchmark for conservative voters.
With one month left until the primary and many voters still undecided, the voters' pick for who will continue the Republican Party's fight to take down Sen. Ossoff and flip the seat is still uncertain.
It is certain, however, that this race will be essential to the Republicans hoping to keep their majority in the U.S. Senate in the midterm elections.
