Georgia GOP Sends Collins and Dooley to Runoff
PUBLISHED May 20, 2026, 12:07 AM ET
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Atlanta — Derek Dooley will face U.S. Rep. Mike Collins in a June 16 runoff for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate after neither candidate secured the required majority in Tuesday’s primary. Collins, 58, represents a district east of Atlanta. Dooley, 57, is a lawyer and a former college football coach who is running for office for the first time. Atlanta — Because neither candidate received at least 50% of the vote, the June 16 rematch will determine the Republican nominee for the November U.S. Senate contest. The runoff will decide which candidate appears on the ballot for the general election and conclude the party’s primary process for this Senate seat.
By Lauren Mitchell | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- Republican primary voting occurred and initial counts were reported late May 19.
- Associated Press and local outlets called results showing no candidate reached 50 percent.
- AP and broadcasters identified Mike Collins and Derek Dooley as the top two finishers.
- Runoff was scheduled for June 16 to determine the GOP nominee.
- Winner of the runoff will face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.
News Intelligence
- This runoff election will determine your Republican choice for the U.S. Senate in November. It's a significant decision, impacting everything from taxes to healthcare. Check your local polling place and make sure you're registered to vote by June 16.
- Articles Published:
- 9
- Right Leaning:
- 1
- Left Leaning:
- 0
- Neutral:
- 8
- Distribution:
- Left 0%, Center 89%, Right 11%
Mike Collins and Derek Dooley benefited by securing runoff positions, extending campaign exposure and party attention ahead of the November general election.
Rep. Buddy Carter and other candidates who did not advance suffered elimination from the GOP Senate contest and lost the immediate path to the nomination.
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Georgia GOP Sends Collins and Dooley to Runoff
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