Mike Collins, Advocate for Laken Riley Act, Begins Senate Campaign

Mike Collins Joins Georgia Senate Race

Georgia Representative Mike Collins has officially entered the race for the contested Republican Senate seat in Georgia, a move that many anticipated.

Collins is running in part to challenge Democratic Senator John Ossoff, especially after his recent push to pass legislation like the Laken Reilly Act, which focuses on immigration issues. This law was signed by former President Donald Trump earlier in the year, and Collins aims to leverage his ties to Trump’s policies in this campaign.

“We need someone who actually represents Georgia, not some out-of-touch person from California or New York,” Collins stated in a campaign announcement video. “I can’t really say if John Ossoff does the job, but he certainly doesn’t seem like a true Georgian.”

Trump and the National Republican Senate Committee have not yet thrown support behind any candidates, which makes Collins’s entry even more significant. Republicans view Georgia as a key state to target in upcoming elections, particularly after last year’s challenges faced by state Republicans and Trump against then-Vice President Kamala Harris.

Governor Brian Kemp, a prominent figure in Georgia politics, had been a potential candidate but is now backing Derek Dooley, a former football coach who is new to the political arena. Dooley is expected to announce his campaign soon.

Reports indicate that Kemp has told Collins and other candidates of his support for Dooley, citing a “narrow path” to nomination for them.

Collins plans to emphasize his working-class roots and accomplishments within the trucking industry in his campaign. “It’s time for truck drivers to have a voice in the Senate and counter the radical left, while also promoting President Trump’s agenda to reinvigorate Georgia,” he said in the video.

On the other hand, Ossoff is anticipated to garner significant financial support in the coming year to maintain his Senate seat. Recent financial disclosures reveal that Georgia Democrats have approximately $15.5 million in reserve for campaign efforts.