Trump backs Rep. Mike Collins in Georgia Senate runoff

Former President Donald Trump announced his endorsement of Rep. Mike Collins on Sunday for the Georgia Republican Senate primary runoff, favoring the incumbent congressman over former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Doward Dooley. Trump posted on his social-media platform that Collins has his "complete and total endorsement" to become the next U.S. senator.

Collins, a trucking executive who previously sponsored the first bill signed by Trump after his return to office, leads Dooley by roughly ten points from the May primary round and maintains a polling advantage in head-to-head surveys. The endorsement arrives as Governor Brian Kemp, a popular state Republican, supports Dooley and has campaigned extensively with him.

"Mike Collins is a true Friend, Fighter, and WARRIOR, who has been with us from the very beginning, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be your next United States Senator," Trump wrote.

Trump's backing brings additional campaign resources to Collins, including the former president's pollster Tony Fabrizio and data analyst Tim Saler. Dooley, who previously met with Trump at the White House and used a "Georgia First" slogan echoing Trump’s "America First," had sought the former president’s favor but faced criticism after Trump reiterated his disputed claim that he lost Georgia in the 2020 election.

The endorsement could shift the dynamics of a contest that political analysts had expected to be closely fought, as the race determines who will challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in a key midterm battleground.