Mike Collins

Collins criticized Ossoff and highlighted his own focus on issues like government waste and healthcare transparency.

Recent polls show Ossoff leading Collins, with a debate scheduled for October 7.

The campaign event drew supporters, fellow politicians like U.S. Rep. Rick Allen, and a small counter-protest.

In a small Augusta venue, more than 80 Republicans made as much noise as they could for Mike Collins.

The U.S. House representative was at the Snelling Center campaigning to replace U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, whom he criticized in a variety of ways, such as describing how much makeup the senator wears and implying he’s just like U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.

“I think we need to have more business folks up there (in Washington, D.C.) and we don’t need anymore from a trust fund kid that’s never had a job in his life,” Collins said.

While Ossoff’s upbringing was reportedly affluent, before becoming a senator, he was a legislative aide for U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson and was a producer, managing director, and chief executive for Insight TWI in London, according to Britannica.

But Collins didn’t just bash his opponent. He also highlighted some of the issues he’s focused on.

“We’ve got to continue to fight waste, fraud, and abuse up there. We need to hold people accountable,” he said. “We’ve got healthcare issues out there. We need more transparency in our healthcare. Our insurance companies are making a boatload, and your insurance (like mine) is going up.”

Collins answered a few questions after his speech, one of them concerning the controversial data centers coming to Georgia as well as the rest of the country.

“At the end of the day, it should be a local decision,” Collins said. “Do we need data centers? We sure do; we’re in a race for AI against China. But if it’s going to hurt local infrastructure, then those people don’t deserve for that to happen.”

The audience of supporters covered nearly all ages, all the way up to nearly 100. One of the youngest was 16-year-old Nick Dowling with Turning Point, who said he’s concerned with affordability and immigration and believes Collins will take care of both.

Another in the audience was Greg Rowland, who said, “I like what he espoused tonight. It makes sense. Georgia values. ... Seems like he’s a strong Christian and I like that as well.”

Collins also had multiple politicians campaigning for him, with the biggest possibly being U.S. Rep. Rick Allen.

“I don’t have a go-to senator in Georgia,” Allen said. “I believe every election is the most important election, but this one is important for a lot of reasons. ... We have enemies right here in this country. They’re running for Congress. They’re running for the Senate. I can’t tell you how many judges are out there that; they don’t rule by the law; they run based on their personal beliefs.”

Outside along the street was a counter-protest with several opponents holding up signs with messages like “defend our rights” and “regulate guns not women.” Georgia Democratic Party Chairman Charlie Bailey also released the following statement:

“Mike Collins is getting on stage in Augusta while he continues to run away from questions about his close ties to white nationalism. Georgians demand answers, and it is completely unacceptable for Collins to continue dodging accountability. Anybody who campaigns with him, including Rick Jackson, needs to answer whether they stand by Collins and his scandals.”

Mike Collins, Jon Ossoff debate

Collins and Ossoff will debate live on Gray TV channels across Georgia at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7.

GA senate race 2026 polls

Ossoff is leading in all three of the polls we've found so far:

On July 1, Fox News reported 56% for Ossoff, 43% for Collins, and 1% unsure based on 1,002 responses with a 3% margin of error.

On July 8, Wick reported 47% for Ossoff, 43% for Collins, and 10% unsure based on 1,175 responses with a 2.9% margin of error.

On July 23, AARP reported 52% for Ossoff, 43% for Collins, and 5% for unsure based on 1,060 responses with a 3% margin of error.

This averages out to about 51.7% for Ossoff, 43% for Collins, and the rest uncertain with about a 3% margin of error. So, for the next few months, Collins will need to convince the unsure 5%.

When does the Georgia Senate race end?

The Senate election will conclude along with other major races on the Nov. 3 midterms.

Rick Allen town hall

After the Collins rally, Allen also answered a few questions, including addressing town hall meetings. While he and his office are doing over-the-phone town halls, many Augusta-area residents have been urging for an in-person one.

Allen said they’re not doing in-person, in part, due to safety. He also said, "Folks from the other side [Democrats] show up, and they don't let you talk. They just scream ... and this way you can do it from the comfort of your own home."