The family of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was tragically murdered on the University of Georgia campus in February 2024, has expressed their support for US Senator Mike Collins (R-GA) as he seeks to challenge John Ossoff (D-GA) in honor of their daughter.
Allyson Riley and John Phillips, Laken’s mother and stepfather, publicly endorsed Rep. Mike Collins for the US Senate. Tragically, a Venezuelan national was charged with Laken’s murder a year and a half ago.
In their statement, Laken’s family characterized Collins as a genuine lawmaker who “means what he says” and has truly taken action. They believe his support has helped them “bring justice” for Laken through the proposed Laken Riley Act. They expressed gratitude towards Collins, stating, “What he did for our family wasn’t about politics or attention. He simply did the right thing and helped us find justice for our sweet Laken.”
The family also criticized the Biden administration and Democratic senators in Georgia for their perceived support of what they called an “open border” policy, suggesting this contributed to Riley’s death. They urged the public to support Collins in the upcoming November election, hoping he could implement policies to better protect all Georgians.
Collins announced his candidacy for the 2026 Georgia Senate race on July 28, framing his campaign around border security, opposition to progressive ideologies, and loyalty to the “America First” agenda championed by former President Donald Trump. His launch video emphasized his authorship of the Laken Riley Act, which aims to enforce the detention and deportation of criminal illegal immigrants.
Senator John Ossoff, who won his seat in 2020, continues to face criticism from Republicans regarding his stance on immigration. Ossoff has opposed Trump’s border wall and the use of Title 42 to expel immigrants. Additionally, he opposed a government funding bill that included border enforcement resources, military pay raises, and veteran benefits. His support for a farm debt relief program linked to Biden’s American Rescue Plan also faced backlash, especially leading into the midterm elections in 2026.
Collins enters a competitive Republican field that includes Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), who is also emphasizing border security and framing his campaign against far-left policies.
