Republicans are still really worried about beating Jon Ossoff

Georgia Republicans have selected their Senate nominee, but now the real challenge begins.

Republican Representative Mike Collins from Georgia has emerged from a contentious primary and will now face Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, known for his strong fundraising abilities, in the upcoming November election. This contest is seen as a difficult one for Republicans, who have spent much of their time battling internally, while Ossoff has been quietly building his campaign structure and honing his message for the general election.

Jason Shepherd, the former chair of the Cobb County Republican Party, expressed the difficulty of the race, saying, “Anyone who’s being honest knows it’s going to be a very tough race to unseat Jon Ossoff. All the polling shows Georgia as leaning Democrat, not toss-up.” Shepherd had supported Collins’ primary opponent, Derek Dooley, a former football coach.

Initially considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the midterms, Ossoff has since fortified his position. In a state that Trump won decisively in 2024, Ossoff has amassed significant campaign funds, faced no primary opposition, and maintained a strategy that keeps him out of partisan media disputes.

An RNC official remarked on Ossoff’s capabilities, noting, “Ossoff is tricky, he’s good at raising money, he does not step in it.”

This Senate race is set to be one of the most observed of the cycle. For Democrats, retaining Ossoff’s seat is crucial for their narrow path to reclaiming the Senate majority, while for Republicans, winning it is a key opportunity to strengthen their hold. Georgia remains a critical battleground, testing the political landscape ahead of 2028.

Collins faces several challenges, including hardline policy positions and an ongoing House ethics investigation, which strategists believe may expose him to Democratic attacks. Furthermore, Collins is trailing significantly in campaign finances.

According to fundraising reports, Collins raised $4.9 million with $1.2 million cash on hand as of May 27. In contrast, Ossoff has raised $60 million with $32 million remaining in the bank by the end of April.

A Republican operative involved in Georgia races commented on the difficulties ahead, describing it as a “real severe uphill battle” and expressing concerns about Collins’ ability to fundraise effectively.

Despite these hurdles, Collins’ supporters believe the primary has prepared him for a tough general election. A campaign insider stated, “Jon Ossoff has been, always will be, the most vulnerable Democrat up for reelection. Nobody is more battle-tested than Mike Collins after this primary.”

Some Democrats think Collins is a more favorable opponent than Dooley, who had the support of popular Republican Governor Brian Kemp, potentially broadening his appeal. A Democratic PAC member candidly noted, “Dooley is much less of a political extremist than Collins is and Collins is on the record voting directly for the policies that have devastated Georgians.”

Donald Trump, who endorsed Collins late in the primary, questioned Collins on his stringent abortion stance, a potential liability after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. During his campaign, Collins softened his position, now supporting Georgia’s six-week abortion ban, which allows exceptions for rape, incest, or to protect the mother’s life.

After his primary win, Ossoff quickly criticized Collins, tying him to Trump and labeling him a “notorious bigot.” In a statement, Ossoff accused Collins of voting to double health insurance premiums and supporting controversial policies like the Iran War and Trump tariffs.

Democrats recognize Collins as a formidable opponent, despite their current momentum. Ossoff narrowly defeated David Perdue in 2020, and Raphael Warnock won over Herschel Walker by a small margin in 2022.

Andrew Heaton, a Democratic strategist, remarked, “Democrats understand that if a Herschel Walker can get to 49 percent, you know, this is still going to be a battle, and this is still going to be a fight ahead.”

National Democrats plan an aggressive campaign against Collins, with the Senate Majority PAC dedicating $20 million to support Ossoff.

Republican groups, previously hesitant due to Trump’s silence and a contentious primary, are now pressured to invest in Georgia. The National Republican Senatorial Committee and the Senate Leadership Fund have raised $1 million in a joint effort for the Georgia race, in addition to the $44 million already pledged by SLF.

Collins might also gain from sharing the ticket with Rick Jackson, a billionaire who won the GOP gubernatorial primary and plans to invest heavily statewide. An insider familiar with Jackson’s campaign noted, “We will have a large field team and field operation. Collins will benefit greatly.”

Another Georgia-based Republican operative emphasized the urgency of mobilizing resources for the Senate race, stating, “The general election campaign starts right now, we don’t have a moment to lose.”

In his victory speech, Collins criticized Ossoff’s voting record, alleging that the Democrat supported policies unpopular with many Georgia Republicans. “This choice in this race is crystal clear: You got a businessman who has delivered results in both the private sector and in Washington… or an out-of-touch, far left liberal who has raised your taxes, made your life more expensive, less safe, and left Georgia worse off,” Collins declared.

Observers believe Collins’ initial actions in the general election will be crucial to gaining support. A Georgia-based operative suggested that skepticism about Collins’ chances might work to his benefit, predicting a tight race as the election approaches.

With Trump’s endorsement, Collins emerged as the MAGA candidate, gaining backing from key House Republicans and groups like the Club for Growth. His primary win highlighted his appeal in Georgia’s rural Republican areas.

To succeed in November, Collins must extend his reach beyond the MAGA base to attract supporters of Dooley, who had the backing of more moderate voters in metro Atlanta. During his victory speech, Collins mentioned speaking with both Kemp and Dooley, signaling efforts to unify the party.

Buzz Brockway, a GOP strategist, commented, “It’s an uphill battle against Senator Ossoff, but it would have been an uphill fight for anyone. Now Collins needs to unite the GOP behind him, which I think he can do.”