President Donald Trump has endorsed Rep. Mike Collins in the runoff for Georgia’s Republican Senate nomination, a move that could influence control of the Senate this fall. Trump’s endorsement came early Sunday ahead of Tuesday’s runoff election between Collins and former football coach Derek Dooley.

Trump took to his Truth Social platform to back Collins, describing him as a “warrior and winner” and highlighting his alignment with the MAGA movement. Collins, a second-term congressman and former trucking company executive, finished first in the primary with more than 40 percent of the vote, benefiting from broad statewide support. Dooley, backed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who endorsed him despite party divisions, secured approximately 30 percent, buoyed by voters in Atlanta and its suburbs.

The winner of the runoff will challenge incumbent Senator Jon Ossoff, a 39-year-old Democrat and first-term senator seeking re-election. Ossoff has built a substantial campaign war chest amid efforts by Democrats to maintain control of the chamber, while Republicans view Georgia as one of their strongest opportunities for a Senate pickup this cycle. The current Senate breakdown stands at 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats.

Collins has emphasized his business experience and political heritage—he is the son of former Representative Mac Collins, who served Georgia in the House for 12 years—as key assets in appealing to voters. However, Collins has faced criticism for controversial social media posts, including promoting a conspiracy theory related to the 2024 assassination attempt on Trump. He is also under an ethics investigation stemming from allegations that his then-chief of staff misused taxpayer funds, a claim Collins denies. The House Ethics Committee confirmed an ongoing review of the matter earlier this year.

Dooley has sought to portray Collins as a controversial figure, referencing the ethics probe, while positioning himself as a more moderate and electable option. Dooley’s background includes a career as a college football coach and law degree from the University of Georgia. He stressed that he enjoys strong support from Governor Kemp and focused his campaign on appealing directly to Georgia voters. Responding to Trump’s criticism that “nobody knows” him, Dooley expressed respect for the former president but asserted that the endorsement will not sway the outcome.

Governor Kemp has cautioned against nominating candidates perceived as divisive, citing recent Republican losses attributed to controversies, such as Herschel Walker’s 2022 Senate bid. Trump’s endorsement of Collins mirrors his recent involvement in Senate primaries, including backing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Senator John Cornyn, despite some GOP leaders’ concerns about intra-party divisions.

Tuesday’s runoff is expected to shape the November general election battle in a highly competitive state, with national implications for control of the Senate.