Top Senate Republicans are warning Rep. Doug Collins that running against Sen. Kelly Loeffler in Georgia’s special Senate primary could pave the way for an otherwise unlikely Democratic sweep in the state in November.
”The shortsightedness in this decision is stunning. Doug Collins’ selfishness will hurt David Perdue, Kelly Loeffler, and President Trump,” National Republican Senatorial Committee Executive Director Kevin McLaughlin said in a statement.
Collins, a Trump ally and part of his impeachment defense team, announced his Senate candidacy on Wednesday. He was passed over for an appointment to the Senate by Gov. Brian Kemp after Johnny Isakson resigned at the end of last year.
“For months, I have given serious deliberation to the role I should serve that would best benefit GA, the country and @realDonaldTrump,” he tweeted. “Today, I have officially launched my campaign for Senate to do just that.”
For months, I have given serious deliberation to the role I should serve that would best benefit GA, the country and @realDonaldTrump. Today, I have officially launched my campaign for Senate to do just that. I invite you to join our campaign here:https://t.co/xubaYUr5RP
— Doug Collins (@CollinsforGA) January 29, 2020
He later joined Fox & Friends to discuss his decision, saying, “We’re in for the Georgia Senate race down here … People of Georgia, we are getting ready for a good time down here to keep defending this president and keep it working for the people of Georgia.”
Collins also addressed concerns that he and Loeffler may “tear each other apart and open up the seat for a Democrat.”
“We are not concerned about that at all. I’m concerned about going for the people of Georgia,” he said. “We just need to have a process that lets people decide, lets them choose for themselves how they want to see this vision. I think we fought for the president, we fought for our state, and we fought for this country. And we’re going to continue to do that. I look forward to a good exchange of ideas and look forward to this election.”
Reports that Collins was considering launching a Senate bid challenging the GOP incumbent for her seat first began circulating on Monday, and he reportedly hopes to solidify Trump’s support for his run.
