Representative Mike Collins (R-GA) was forced to fire his longtime advisor and campaign manager, Brandon Philips, this past weekend. The severance occurred after one of the Collins Campaign’s official X accounts openly mocked a rival advisor for being married to a rape survivor.
For context, the campaign account responded to a Derek Dooley Political Action Committee advisor, Luke Thompson, who praised the success of Dooley’s candidacy.
In their response, the account chose to mock Thompson’s wife, Brooke Nevils, for being a victim of sexual assault. The post was promptly deleted.
A campaign account for Senate candidate Mike Collins mocks an adviser to rival Derek Dooley’s PAC whose wife attempted suicide after accusing Matt Lauer of rape. #gapol pic.twitter.com/llCa1Jex9q
— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) May 22, 2026
Rep. Collins apologized for this behavior both privately and publicly. The Representative took to X to issue his public apology, in which he called the post ‘despicable’ and ‘unauthorized.’
He also confirmed that the post was made without his approval and committed to ensuring that it never happens again.
Earlier today, a campaign advisor sent out a despicable and unauthorized twitter comment using a Team Collins campaign account. The statement was made without my knowledge or approval and in no way represents or reflects my values or the values of this campaign. I want to…
— Mike Collins (@MikeCollinsGA) May 22, 2026
Rep. Collins went further and personally called Nevils to apologize. Nevils responded via Instagram to express her appreciation but lamented the state of online political culture.
The Dooley Campaign's Response
Rival candidate Derek Dooley and his campaign team wasted no time picking this up. Dooley personally commented on the situation, calling the behavior ‘disgusting’ and illustrative of why Rep. Collins is in no position to challenge Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA).
This kind of disgusting behavior does not represent Georgia values—or frankly any values—and is exactly why Mike Collins cannot be our nominee this November. A vote for Collins is a vote for Ossoff. https://t.co/pes0hdN8gc
— Derek Dooley (@DerekDooleyGA) May 22, 2026
The Dooley for Georgia account went further, responding directly to the original post with a clip of Rep. Collins in which he states that he tries to look over everything his team posts online.
Mike Collins on his social media strategy, “I try to look at everything that we do post.” https://t.co/eHAnplpgS2 pic.twitter.com/ky9bkqwdVO
— Team Dooley (@DooleyforGA) May 22, 2026
