Clear Frontrunner Emerges In Key Senate Race

A U.S. Senate race shaping up to be the most expensive of the 2026 cycle is looking increasingly likely to flip to Republican from Democrat. Now, polling indicates who the newest GOP member may be if the election were held today.

Georgia’s sizable Republican electorate goes to the polls on May 19, 2026, a primary election that will determine who faces off against embattled incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA). Most polls have shown Ossoff with an approval rating of 50% or lower among voters who remain supportive of him five years after he was elected.

Blood in the water has created a feeding frenzy among prominent Republicans eager to snatch back a seat that had been in the party’s hands since 2003. Top contenders remain Congressmen Mike Collins (R-GA) and Buddy Carter (R-GA), but new polling shows that the former appears to be running away with decided voters to date.

Although it’s early, Collins, who represents the state’s 10th congressional district, leads a hypothetical field with 27% of likely GOP primary voters supporting him. In second place sits Carter of the 1st district at 20%, while far behind is former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley at 8%, according to results shared with the Daily Caller.

The poll, conducted online by the TechnoMetrica Institute of Policy and and Politics for the League of American Workers, also indicates that Collins will need to fight to keep his lead: A plurality of voters (39%) remain undecided in the contest.

Senate Republicans view Georgia as the prime pickup opportunity of 2026, making it all the more critical that the party coalesce behind its winner after a primary that will undoubtedly be bitter and bruising.

In a head-to-head matchup, Collins leads Ossoff 45% to 44%, with just 8% undecided, the Daily Caller reports. Carter and Dooley come it at two and three points behind the Democrat, respectively.

To be sure, none of the three men is well-known statewide, underscoring how dissatisfied Georgians are with Ossoff. Sixty-three percent of GOP voters have no opinion of Dooley while Collins is at 58% and Carter at 56%.

The poll was conducted before Dooley jumped into the race on Monday with the backing of the state’s Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. Collins entered the race the same day that the poll went into the field.

A slew of high-profile endorsements is adding to the frenetic nature surrounding the election. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who hails from Georgia, gave his blessing to Collins, as did Georgia State Senate Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte and House Majority Whip James Burchett.

Need it be said, all three candidates are vying for the most coveted endorsement of all: that of President Donald Trump.