Blab Politics
Georgia GOP Faces Internal Divisions Ahead of Senate and Governor Runoffs
In the final stretch of Georgia’s Republican primary, the state’s GOP has fractured into rival camps, setting the stage for two runoffs that could decide the political direction of the Peach State.
The Senate contest pits U.S. Representative Mike Collins against former college football coach Derek Dooley. Collins, who represents the 10th congressional district, led the May 19 primary with 40 percent of the vote, while Dooley trailed with 30 percent. Because neither candidate crossed the 50‑percent threshold, a runoff will take place on Tuesday, June 16.
In the governor’s race, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and billionaire businessman Rick Jackson are the front‑runners. Their primary also failed to produce a majority winner, leaving the GOP to decide the nominee on Saturday, June 14.
Trump and Gov. Brian Kemp have aligned behind Jones for governor but remain split in the Senate race. Trump’s endorsement of Jones dates back to August 2025, when he praised the lieutenant governor’s loyalty during the 2020 Electoral College controversy. Kemp, who certified Biden’s electors in 2020 despite Trump’s objections, publicly backed Jones on May 14 and reiterated his support on Monday, saying, “Everything I’m doing is to win in November.” Trump, meanwhile, announced his backing of Collins on his 80th birthday, June 14, after a social‑media post that criticized Dooley for supporting Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election.
The split drew in other GOP figures. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a former rival of Trump, endorsed Jackson, calling him “rich” and a “first‑time candidate” and noting that he “doesn’t know anybody like that in politics.” Cruz’s endorsement put Jackson at odds with Trump and Kemp.
Inside the campaign trail, the divisions were palpable. “There’s a lot of division in the MAGA world and across the Republican Party,” said Debbie Dooley, an original national Tea Party organizer who is backing Jones for governor and Dooley for Senate. She added, “We better get it together after Tuesday.” Kemp, who has been a key player in Georgia politics for more than two decades, said, “I’m not worried about any political equations or keeping score. It’s making sure we have the right people at the top of the ticket.” He also rejected accusations of inconsistency, explaining that Jones is the “right man” to defeat Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms, while Dooley is positioned as an outsider who could beat incumbent Senator Jon Ossoff.
Dooley himself framed the Senate contest as a choice between a “conservative outsider” and a “conservative insider.” He told supporters, “It’s very simple. A vote for Mike Collins is a vote for Jon Ossoff. A vote for me is a vote for the people of Georgia.” Jackson, meanwhile, downplayed Kemp’s late endorsement, saying, “I respect Gov. Kemp very much, and I think people are ready for an outsider.”
The runoffs come at a critical juncture for the GOP. Democrats hold both of Georgia’s Senate seats, and the party’s head start in the general election is significant. The Republican nominees will need to unite the fractured base quickly to mount a credible challenge. The upcoming votes will test the influence of Trump and Kemp, who have both played pivotal roles in the state’s political landscape.
The Senate runoff is scheduled for June 16, while the governor’s runoff will take place on June 14. Both contests will determine the GOP’s nominees for the November 2026 elections. As the state’s voters head to the polls, the party’s ability to reconcile its internal divisions will be a key factor in shaping Georgia’s political trajectory.
The Senate contest pits U.S. Representative Mike Collins against former college football coach Derek Dooley. Collins, who represents the 10th congressional district, led the May 19 primary with 40 percent of the vote, while Dooley trailed with 30 percent. Because neither candidate crossed the 50‑percent threshold, a runoff will take place on Tuesday, June 16.
In the governor’s race, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and billionaire businessman Rick Jackson are the front‑runners. Their primary also failed to produce a majority winner, leaving the GOP to decide the nominee on Saturday, June 14.
Trump and Gov. Brian Kemp have aligned behind Jones for governor but remain split in the Senate race. Trump’s endorsement of Jones dates back to August 2025, when he praised the lieutenant governor’s loyalty during the 2020 Electoral College controversy. Kemp, who certified Biden’s electors in 2020 despite Trump’s objections, publicly backed Jones on May 14 and reiterated his support on Monday, saying, “Everything I’m doing is to win in November.” Trump, meanwhile, announced his backing of Collins on his 80th birthday, June 14, after a social‑media post that criticized Dooley for supporting Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election.
The split drew in other GOP figures. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a former rival of Trump, endorsed Jackson, calling him “rich” and a “first‑time candidate” and noting that he “doesn’t know anybody like that in politics.” Cruz’s endorsement put Jackson at odds with Trump and Kemp.
Inside the campaign trail, the divisions were palpable. “There’s a lot of division in the MAGA world and across the Republican Party,” said Debbie Dooley, an original national Tea Party organizer who is backing Jones for governor and Dooley for Senate. She added, “We better get it together after Tuesday.” Kemp, who has been a key player in Georgia politics for more than two decades, said, “I’m not worried about any political equations or keeping score. It’s making sure we have the right people at the top of the ticket.” He also rejected accusations of inconsistency, explaining that Jones is the “right man” to defeat Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms, while Dooley is positioned as an outsider who could beat incumbent Senator Jon Ossoff.
Dooley himself framed the Senate contest as a choice between a “conservative outsider” and a “conservative insider.” He told supporters, “It’s very simple. A vote for Mike Collins is a vote for Jon Ossoff. A vote for me is a vote for the people of Georgia.” Jackson, meanwhile, downplayed Kemp’s late endorsement, saying, “I respect Gov. Kemp very much, and I think people are ready for an outsider.”
The runoffs come at a critical juncture for the GOP. Democrats hold both of Georgia’s Senate seats, and the party’s head start in the general election is significant. The Republican nominees will need to unite the fractured base quickly to mount a credible challenge. The upcoming votes will test the influence of Trump and Kemp, who have both played pivotal roles in the state’s political landscape.
The Senate runoff is scheduled for June 16, while the governor’s runoff will take place on June 14. Both contests will determine the GOP’s nominees for the November 2026 elections. As the state’s voters head to the polls, the party’s ability to reconcile its internal divisions will be a key factor in shaping Georgia’s political trajectory.
