Mike Collins Leads Derek Dooley in Georgia Runoff Race: Poll
Rep. Mike Collins leads former football coach Derek Dooley 50-36 percent in Georgia's Senate primary runoff poll ahead of the June 16 election, benefiting from his border security stance.
According to Breitbart News, a survey from JMC Analytics and Polling reveals that Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) holds 50 percent support compared to Derek Dooley‘s 36 percent, establishing a 14-point advantage heading into the runoff election.
The runoff became necessary after neither candidate secured the required 50 percent threshold during the initial primary. Collins finished first with 40.5 percent of the vote, while Dooley placed second with 30.2 percent, forcing the head-to-head matchup.
Despite 15 percent of voters remaining undecided—a figure slightly larger than Collins’ current lead—the congressman appears to have momentum even among those uncertain voters. When undecided respondents were asked which candidate they were leaning toward, 39 percent indicated Collins while just 27 percent favored Dooley. Another 34 percent said they remained completely undecided.
Collins also enjoys a stronger favorability rating than his opponent. The survey found that 61 percent of respondents hold either a very favorable or somewhat favorable view of Collins, compared to 50 percent who said the same about Dooley.
The polling data suggests border security and illegal immigration rank among the top three issues for Georgia Republican primary voters, a dynamic that could prove problematic for Dooley given his recent controversial statements on immigration policy.
Dooley drew sharp criticism after declaring himself very sensitive to both sides on immigration and suggesting support for allowing illegal migrants to remain in the United States. When questioned about amnesty and a pathway for illegal aliens, Dooley acknowledged they should face some penalty for entering illegally but failed to articulate what that penalty should entail.
He proposed that penalties could include payment, community service, or other undefined measures, then added that illegal migrants want to feel they do not have to look over their shoulder every five minutes worrying about deportation, stating I’m very sensitive [to] both sides on the issue.
Collins, by contrast, authored the Laken Riley Act and has established a clear record opposing amnesty for illegal aliens. The congressman highlighted the stark contrast between the candidates by sharing Dooley’s pro-amnesty remarks and noting that the candidate who shares the same immigration policy as Democrat Jon Ossoff should not be the Republican nominee to challenge him.
The survey also revealed that a plurality of Republican primary voters identify their political views as aligning with Trump and the MAGA movement, another indicator that could favor Collins’ candidacy.
JMC Analytics and Polling conducted the survey May 26-27, 2026, among 600 respondents with a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent. A separate poll has shown similar results with Collins holding a clear advantage over Dooley.
The winner of the Republican runoff will face Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in the general election. Democrats are hoping to retake the Senate majority, though recent nonpartisan analyses forecast they will fall short of that goal.
With information from Breitbart News
