JUST IN: Beloved MAGA Congressman Launches Senate Run

A powerful Republican Congressman launched his bid for U.S. Senate on Monday, offering his party a tantalizing chance to pick up one of Georgia’s two seats currently held by Democrats.

Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), widely viewed as the most vulnerable incumbent of the 2026 cycle, will have to contend with Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), who on Monday joined a growing field of conservatives vying for the chance to make it to November’s election.

“We need a Senator who works for Georgia, not the California crazies or New York nutjobs,” Collins said in the announcement, posted to X. “I don’t know who Jon Ossoff really works for, but it sure as heck isn’t Georgia.”

Among other priorities, Collins credits his leadership in the U.S. House for jettisoning “woke DEI garbage” from the government and “banning boys from playing in girls’ sports.” He cited the Laken Riley Act, named after the late University of Georgia student killed by a violent illegal immigrant who entered the country under the Biden administration.

Already in the race is Republican Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), who is also courting President Donald Trump’s coveted endorsement.

In his announcement video, Collins includes a clip of Trump singing his praises.

“He loves his state,” Trump said.

Collins was an original sponsor of the Lake Riley Act, the first piece of legislation that Trump signed in his second term. It enhances the ability of immigration authorities to deport illegal immigrants for lower-level criminal offenses, according to Politico.

“I wrote the Laken Riley Act so we can deport criminal illegals wherever they are, making sure this never happens again,” he said in the video.

WATCH:

Loaded, fueled up, and ready to hit the road.

Welcome to the official @MikeCollinsGA for U.S. Senate War Room.

Retweet, Follow, and let’s retire liberal trust fund baby Jon Ossoff back to the mansion his parents bought him.pic.twitter.com/Khe55qc7JR

— Mike Collins War Room (@TeamOverhaulGA) July 28, 2025

Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, one they aren’t expected to lose after next year’s elections. The map has proven extremely favorable for Democrats, with just a handful of incumbents, such as Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), at risk of losing their seats.

Others, such as Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), are confronting the opposite fear — losing their seat to a conservative primary challenger like Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Promising pickup opportunities for the GOP abound in New Hampshire, where Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) announced she would not be running again, as well as Michigan, another open seat after Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) opted against reelection.

Republicans fielded a top-tier recruit in the swing state of North Carolina last week when Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley announced he would be running to replace Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), who is retiring.