Georgia Republicans Anxious as Senate Primary Heats Up

Trump's endorsement could be key, but he hasn't weighed in yet

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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As Georgia Republicans compete for the party's Senate nomination, they are growing increasingly anxious that a drawn-out primary could hurt their chances of defeating Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff in the general election. With three main GOP contenders - Rep. Mike Collins, Rep. Buddy Carter, and former football coach Derek Dooley - vying for the nomination, the party fears a similar fate as the messy Senate runoff in Texas if former President Trump doesn't step in to endorse a candidate.

Why it matters

Georgia is seen as a crucial battleground state for control of the Senate, and Republicans are eager to unseat Ossoff, who has built a formidable fundraising and campaign operation. The party is concerned that an extended primary fight could deplete resources and make it harder to unite behind a nominee to take on Ossoff in the general election.

The details

Each of the three main Republican candidates has positioned themselves as the best ally for Trump in Washington, hoping to secure the former president's coveted endorsement. However, Trump has not indicated when or if he will weigh in on the race, leaving Georgia Republicans worried they could face a similar situation as the Texas Senate runoff, where a bitter and expensive contest between the two GOP candidates sapped resources. State party chair Josh McKoon said it seems "more likely than not" that Georgia will have a runoff, further prolonging the primary.

  • The Georgia Republican primary is scheduled for May 19, 2026.
  • The Texas Senate runoff election is taking place this week.

The players

Jon Ossoff

The incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator from Georgia who is seeking re-election.

Mike Collins

A Republican U.S. Representative from Georgia who is running for the Senate nomination.

Buddy Carter

A Republican U.S. Representative from Georgia who is running for the Senate nomination.

Derek Dooley

A former college football coach who is running for the Republican Senate nomination in Georgia.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who has not yet endorsed a candidate in the Georgia Republican Senate primary.

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What they’re saying

“I'd like to have as many days as I can to focus the public's attention on the choice between our nominee and Sen. Ossoff.”

— Josh McKoon, Georgia Republican Party Chair (taylorvilledailynews.com)

“My opponents have already made clear they will be Donald Trump's puppets.”

— Jon Ossoff (taylorvilledailynews.com)

“We need to get it down to one candidate as soon as possible. And if we are able to do so, we have a chance to be successful there. But as long as we have three candidates, it's going to be tougher for us.”

— Tim Scott, Chairman, National Republican Senatorial Committee (taylorvilledailynews.com)

What’s next

The Georgia Republican primary election is scheduled for May 19, 2026. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a runoff election between the top two finishers will be held at a later date.

The takeaway

The Georgia Senate race is shaping up to be a crucial battleground, with Republicans eager to unseat the Democratic incumbent but divided over their nominee. Former President Trump's endorsement could be a game-changer, but his reluctance to weigh in so far has left the GOP primary in flux and raised concerns about a protracted fight that could hurt their chances in the general election.