Georgia is poised to host what is expected to be the most expensive U.S. Senate race next year, as Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff prepares to defend his seat. The Republican Party is currently in search of a viable candidate to challenge Ossoff, who has been successful in raising significant funds for his campaign. With no clear frontrunner yet, U.S. Representatives Mike Collins and Buddy Carter, along with former football coach Derek Dooley, are involved in a competitive three-way race.
Collins, a trucking company owner and son of a former congressman, has reported raising approximately $1.9 million since entering the race, alongside a transfer of an additional $1 million from his congressional campaign account. His team has characterized these figures as evidence that Collins is the “unmistakable frontrunner” in the Republican primary.
Dooley, endorsed by Governor Brian Kemp, has also raised nearly $2 million since he announced his candidacy. The former coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, and son of Georgia coaching legend Vince Dooley, finds himself walking a delicate line between appealing to both Kemp’s supporters and the MAGA loyalists. His political experience is limited, which raises questions about his ties to Georgia.
Carter, a wealthy pharmacist from St. Simons Island, entered the race before the start of the third quarter and reported raising another $1 million in that period, alongside a personal loan of $2 million to his campaign. He emphasized his self-made status with a pointed remark, “We didn’t inherit anything from daddy. We’re earning it — every dime, every vote.”
The current lack of a leading Republican candidate has shifted attention to former President Donald Trump, whose endorsement could significantly alter the dynamics of the race. Trump mentioned on Wednesday that he is closely monitoring the situation, stating, “The governor has spoken to me about [the Senate race] a lot, he likes [Dooley] a lot, and I understand that. I haven’t made a decision yet. But I’m following that race very carefully.”
Ossoff, meanwhile, continues to demonstrate robust fundraising capabilities. He raised another $12 million between July and September, which has brought his total campaign funds to over $20 million. This amount is only a fraction of what the Senate race may ultimately cost; nearly half a billion dollars was spent on Georgia’s 2022 Senate contest between Democrat Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker.
Ossoff has established himself as one of the most effective fundraisers within his party, accumulating more than $200 million since his successful 2020 Senate campaign, where he and Warnock ousted Republican incumbents to secure a narrow Democratic majority.
Political analysts caution that, despite Ossoff’s impressive fundraising, it is not always a reliable indicator of electoral success. Adam Carlson, a Democratic pollster, noted, “If we’ve learned anything from recent elections, it’s that raising more money isn’t necessarily an indicator of future electoral success.” He added, “But Jon Ossoff raising more than 250 percent of all three of his potential Republican opponents combined in Q3 is telling.”
Polling data has been limited, but early indicators suggest that Ossoff holds a solid position, with a recent Morning Consult tracking poll revealing an approval rating of 51 percent and a disapproval rating of 34 percent. The real test will come as the campaign heats up and negative advertisements begin to saturate the airwaves.
Niles Francis, a recent graduate of Georgia Southern University with a degree in political science and journalism, has closely observed the political landscape in Georgia. He has been covering the developments at the state Capitol for several years and regularly updates his findings in a Substack newsletter titled Peach State Politics. As he pursues a graduate degree, Francis is eager to engage with the unfolding political drama in the battleground state he calls home.
