Former Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Rick Santorum and pollster Jim McLaughlin said Wednesday on Newsmax's "Wake Up America" that Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., could defeat Democrat Sen. Jon Ossoff in Georgia if he can energize President Donald Trump's base in the November midterm elections.

The pair discussed the Senate race in Georgia, where Ossoff is seeking reelection in what Republicans view as one of their top pickup opportunities of 2026.

"Look, Georgia has become more purplish over the years, but still, it's not a liberal state," McLaughlin said.

Ossoff is following the same strategy as Democrats in other competitive states, McLaughlin said, running as a moderate despite backing liberal policies.

"Jon Ossoff is the typical example," he said. "You want to look for what not to do, you look at those governors' races in Virginia and New Jersey last time, where the Democrats were allowed to be moderates, when we all know Abigail Spanberger, Mikie Sherrill are not moderates."

"Jon Ossoff is from that very same playbook," he added.

McLaughlin said Ossoff's record and comments about Trump could hurt him with Georgia voters.

"At the end of the day, he was a guy that was voting with Joe Biden 100% of the time," he said. "And oh, by the way, he says one of the first things he's going to do if the Democrats, God forbid, get the Senate, get the House, he's going to vote to impeach Donald Trump. And that's not what the voters of Georgia want."

Santorum said defeating an incumbent senator is difficult, especially in a state as competitive as Georgia.

"I did that when I first ran, but it's not done very often," he said. "And the reason is that the Democrats are very, very good at funding races."

Santorum said Collins is facing a major financial disadvantage in his contest against Ossoff.

"Mike Collins will be outraised and outfunded and outspent by Jon Ossoff," Santorum said. "He's already got a huge advantage and, obviously, the media will be very much behind him."

He also said the midterm environment could be difficult for Republicans with Trump in the White House.

Still, Santorum said Collins is the right Republican for the race because he has what it takes to motivate GOP voters.

"The good thing is, is I think Mike is the best candidate because he excites the base," he said. "And, as [McLaughlin] will tell you, turnout is everything in a midterm election."

Santorum said Collins' path depends on bringing Trump voters back to the polls.

"If you can rally your base, and you can get those Trump voters out who just tend to vote in presidential elections, if you can get them to come out, which I think Mike has the ability to do, I think he can win this race," he said.

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