Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) secured a decisive victory Tuesday in Georgia’s Republican U.S. Senate runoff election, defeating former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley and earning the opportunity to challenge Democrat Sen. Jon Ossoff this November in one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races.

Major news outlets projected Collins as the winner shortly after polls closed. With less than half of ballots counted, Collins held a commanding lead, ultimately defeating Dooley by a margin of roughly 53 percent to 47 percent.

The victory marks a major win for the America First movement in Georgia, as Collins enjoyed the support of President Donald Trump heading into the final days of the runoff campaign.

Collins, who represents Georgia’s 10th Congressional District and owns a successful trucking business, entered the runoff after finishing first in the May Republican primary. Under Georgia law, candidates must receive more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff election.

During the primary, Collins captured more than 40 percent of the vote, well ahead of Dooley and Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), who finished third and failed to advance.

Dooley, a first-time political candidate and former college football coach, received backing from members of Georgia’s Republican establishment, including Gov. Brian Kemp. Outside groups aligned with establishment Republicans poured significant resources into the race in an effort to boost Dooley’s candidacy, but Collins maintained his advantage through Election Day.

President Trump issued a late endorsement of Collins, praising him as a loyal ally who has stood with the America First movement from the beginning.

“MAGA Mike Collins has been with me from day one,” Trump said while urging Republican voters to rally behind the congressman.

Collins now advances to face Ossoff in November. The Georgia Senate contest is expected to be one of the most expensive and competitive races in the country, with control of the Senate potentially hanging in the balance.

Republicans view Ossoff as one of the most vulnerable Democrat incumbents on the ballot in 2026, and recent polling has shown Collins running significantly stronger against the incumbent senator than other Republican contenders.

The race is expected to draw national attention as Republicans seek to expand their Senate majority and strengthen President Trump’s ability to advance his America First agenda during the second half of his second term.