Trump-backed Collins wins GA Senate runoff

Collins to face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November

The Trump-backed Collins on Tuesday defeated former college football coach Derek Dooley in the Republican runoff election, the Associated Press reports, and will face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November’s election in a race that’s among a handful that will likely decide if the GOP holds its slim majority in the chamber in this autumn’s midterm elections.

Collins, a two-term federal lawmaker who represents Georgia’s 10th Congressional District, which is located between Atlanta and Augusta, is the son of the late Rep. Mac Collins, and is the founder and co-owner, along with his wife, of a trucking company.

While Collins showcased his MAGA credentials and support for the president, Trump remained neutral in the Georgia primary and runoff elections for Senate until Saturday night.

Dooley, meanwhile, was strongly backed by lifelong friend and popular conservative Gov. Brian Kemp, who is term-limited. Kemp and his wife, Georgia first lady Marty Kemp, regularly appeared with Dooley on the campaign trail and the governor’s top political advisor was a senior consultant for Dooley’s Senate bid.

Dooley emphasized his outsider image and he targeted Collins as a political insider.

Both candidates had some political baggage. The House Ethics Committee looked into Collins over allegations he paid an intern in a district office who had a romantic relationship with his congressional chief of staff but who did not actually perform any work.

Collins criticized Dooley for a lack of political experience and for living outside of Georgia for much of his adult life.

While the Republicans have been battling for their party’s nomination over the past year, Ossoff has built a powerful war chest that will give him a major fundraising advantage as the general election gets underway.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.