U.S. Senate Georgia in Statewide, Georgia

2026 Primary Election

• Derek Dooley — Former football coach in GA

  Derek Dooley is a political outsider and former University of Tennessee football coach campaigning for the U.S. Senate in Georgia in 2026. Running on a "Georgia First" platform, Dooley aims to defeat Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff and bring new leadership to Washington, advocating to "End Business as Usual." He has expressed support for the Trump Administration's crime crackdown in D.C. Dooley has quickly built momentum, raising nearly $2 million in 58 days and securing the endorsement of popular Governor Brian Kemp, who has pledged his political and financial backing to the campaign. Donald M. Leebern III serves as his Campaign Chairman.

• Earl L. "buddy" Carter — Incumbent U.S. Representative in GA

  Earl L. "Buddy" Carter is a U.S. Representative for Georgia's 1st congressional district, serving since 2015. A Republican, he previously held roles as mayor of Pooler, Georgia, and in the Georgia General Assembly, and owns Carter's Pharmacy, Inc. Carter announced his 2026 U.S. Senate bid against incumbent Jon Ossoff, forgoing re-election to the House. He positions himself as a "MAGA warrior" and prioritizes securing the border and ending transgender athletes' participation in school sports. He also previously called for the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia not to be certified and introduced a bill to authorize the purchase of Greenland.

• John Francis Coyne Iii — Candidate for U.S. Senate in GA

  John Francis Coyne III is a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Georgia, seeking the 2026 Primary election. Public information regarding his background, education, work, military service, affiliations, or prior political offices held or sought is largely unavailable, as he did not provide this data to a voter guide. His specific policy positions, including on the right to life, are also not known, as he did not answer related questionnaires. His campaign is noted as needing to expand visibility and clarify positions to demonstrate viability.

• Jonathan Mccolumn — Brigadier General (Retired), U.S. Army; Clergy; Adjunct Instructor; Consultant in Macon, GA

  Jonathan McColumn is a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, clergy member, adjunct instructor, and consultant. A Georgia native, he is running as a Republican for U.S. Senate in the 2026 Georgia primary election, challenging incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff. McColumn holds degrees in Business Administration, Education, and Strategic Studies. His platform includes advocating for stronger veteran support, exempting retired veterans from state income tax on pensions, increasing missions at Georgia's military installations, energy independence, and expanded school choice. He also champions a strong volunteer military and proposes public-private partnerships for societal needs. He previously ran for U.S. Senate in 2022.

• Michael Allen Collins Jr. — Incumbent U.S. Representative in GA

  Michael Allen Collins Jr. is a Republican from Georgia, a Verified Conservative who graduated from Georgia State University with a BBA in 1990. He has held board positions with the Georgia Motor Trucking Association and Associated Credit Union, and is a member of the Georgia Forestry Association's Transportation Committee. Currently a second-term U.S. Representative, he announced in July 2025 his bid for the U.S. Senate in 2026, aiming to "send a trucker to the U.S. Senate to steamroll the radical left, deliver on President Trump's America first agenda, and put the people of Georgia back in the driver's seat." He has received endorsements from numerous conservative organizations and figures.

• Thomas J Ossoff — Incumbent U.S. Senator in Washington, DC, GA

  Thomas Jonathan "Jon" Ossoff is a United States Senator representing Georgia, elected as a Democrat in January 2021 for a term concluding in 2027. Born in Atlanta in 1987, he holds degrees from Georgetown University and the London School of Economics. Before his Senate tenure, Ossoff served as a legislative assistant and later as an investigative journalist and CEO, leading anti-corruption and war crimes investigations. He currently serves the people of Georgia in the U.S. Senate.