Republicans Worry Trump Support Could Hurt Mike Collins in Georgia Senate Race, NOTUS Reports
Key Takeaways
- •Republican operatives worry that President Trump's public appearances on behalf of Rep. Mike Collins could damage the GOP Senate candidate's chances in Georgia's competitive race.
- •Trump's approval rating is reportedly below 40 percent, leading some Republicans to view his endorsement as a liability rather than an asset.
- •The Trump administration's emphasis on voter fraud allegations in Georgia is considered a net negative for Republican candidates among general election voters.
- •GOP pollster Eamon Keegan predicted Collins would lose, citing Trump's approval ratings and the ongoing war in Iran as factors weakening his prospects.
- •Democratic operatives supporting Sen. Jon Ossoff expressed enthusiasm for additional Trump campaign appearances in Georgia, viewing them as beneficial to their side.
Republicans are concerned that Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), a MAGA-aligned Senate candidate in Georgia, could lose ground if President Donald Trump continues appearing on his behalf, according to NOTUS.
Georgia has emerged as a closely watched battleground in recent cycles, with statewide races repeatedly decided by narrow margins, making voter persuasion and turnout critical in suburban and rural areas alike. NOTUS reported Friday that some Republicans fear Collins could be damaged by Trump's public support as he prepares to run against Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA), who won his seat in a 2021 runoff, ahead of the midterms. Sources told the outlet that Trump's weak polling could make his endorsement a liability and give Democrats an opening to link Collins closely to the president.
"We're already seeing Ossoff at every turn trying to tie Collins to Trump," an anonymous GOP operative with an active campaign role told NOTUS.
The operative said Trump's approval rating is below 40 percent.
"There's headwinds there," the operative said. "But Collins is going to wear the negative of it."
The same operative also said the Trump administration's focus on allegations of voter fraud in Georgia is hurting Collins politically.
"Those issues are definitely net negatives for Republicans in the state," the operative said. "A general election electorate doesn't have much patience for that."
GOP pollster Eamon Keegan offered a blunt assessment of the race in comments to NOTUS.
"Collins is gonna get smashed," Keegan said.
According to NOTUS, Keegan said Trump's approval ratings and the ongoing war in Iran would continue to weaken Collins' prospects. Another operative told the outlet they believe "one-hundred percent" that Trump will be a drag on Collins.
At an event in Marietta, Georgia, earlier this week, Trump praised Collins while also taking a shot at Ossoff.
"Maybe the most important man in this room right now is not here. His name is Mike Collins, and he's going to beat Pee-wee Herman," Trump said.
David Brand, a Georgia Democratic operative supporting Ossoff, told NOTUS Democrats would welcome more Trump appearances in the state.
"If they could bring back Trump every week, we'd love it," Brand said.