ATLANTA (AP) 鈥� Georgia Republicans are getting antsy. As U.S. Sen. dominates the nation in fundraising and to voters, three Republicans who want his spot are still competing among themselves for their party鈥檚 nomination.
This week鈥檚 in Texas didn鈥檛 help. After President Donald Trump declined to help clear the field with an endorsement, Sen. and state Attorney General are primed for a bitter and that could sap resources needed in more competitive states.
Trump has since between the two of them, but he hasn鈥檛 said when he’ll make an announcement or whom he’ll support. And there鈥檚 no sign that the president is ready to get involved in Georgia鈥檚 primary on May 19, meaning Republicans there could be on course for a similar predicament.
鈥淚鈥檇 like to have as many days as I can to focus the public鈥檚 attention on the choice between our nominee and Sen. Ossoff,鈥� said state party chair Josh McKoon. “Assuming that President Trump does not weigh in, it seems like it is more likely than not that we will have a runoff.鈥�
Each of Georgia’s three main Republican contenders 鈥� Rep. Mike Collins, Rep. Buddy Carter and former football coach 鈥� has positioned himself as the best person to help Trump in Washington. Trump could almost certainly anoint a winner if he wanted to use his influence.
鈥淚t is the gold standard of the party,鈥� said Faith & Freedom Coalition chairman Ralph Reed. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the strongest endorsement I鈥檝e ever seen in my career.鈥�
Ossoff sees political advantage in the competition for Trump’s support.
鈥淢y opponents have already made clear they will be Donald Trump鈥檚 puppets,鈥� Ossoff said in a speech this week at Georgia鈥檚 capitol.
The non-endorsement looms over race
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, warned in an interview with The Washington Examiner last month that the wide primary field could end in a general election loss in Georgia.
鈥淲e need to get it down to one candidate as soon as possible,鈥� Scott said. 鈥淎nd if we are able to do so, we have a chance to be successful there. But as long as we have three candidates, it鈥檚 going to be tougher for us.鈥�
Republican strategist and Collins ally Stephen Lawson warned that Ossoff 鈥渃ontinues every day going unscathed.”
鈥淚 do think there has to be some sense of urgency on settling on a candidate and clearing the field sooner rather than later,” he said.
Collins has a long list of endorsements in the state, and he’s backed by the Club for Growth, a nationally influential conservative advocacy group. He describes himself as the 鈥淎merica First MAGA candidate.鈥�
However, he also facing an from a congressional watchdog accusing his policy adviser and former chief of staff of improperly hiring his girlfriend as an intern even though she didn鈥檛 complete assigned work. Collins has called the complaint 鈥渂ogus.鈥�
Carter said in an interview this week that 鈥淚鈥檓 the one without any baggage.”
A political fixture in southeast Georgia, Carter says he’s a 鈥淢AGA warrior.鈥� He has called for expanded immigration enforcement in the state despite criticisms of aggressive tactics elsewhere.
As Republicans compete with each other, Ossoff has been boosting his cash advantage. The senator has over $25.5 million on hand. Meanwhile, Collins has $2.3 million, Dooley has $2.1 million, and Carter has $4.2 million, including many of his own dollars.
However, McKoon said he’s confident Republican donors will coalesce around a winner and help them catch up.
Trump 鈥榳ants to win鈥�
Trump has a mixed track record on endorsements, particularly in Georgia. In 2021, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler Ossoff and Sen. Raphael Warnock. In 2022, football star Herschel Walker.
Carter noted that Republicans have a narrow majority in the House, including Collins and himself, and guessed that Trump doesn’t want to jeopardize that.
鈥淭he president really is probably going to sit this one out,鈥� Carter said.
Collins flattered Trump’s endorsement record, saying he has “always had the impeccable ability to put his name on someone at the right time to get the most bang for his buck.鈥�
Candidates aren’t just trying to convince voters they align with Trump 鈥� they’re also trying to convince the president that they would come out on top in November. That’s what matters most to Trump, Reed said.
鈥淭he only thing that drives Trump more than finding candidates that are loyal both philosophically and personally is identifying and getting behind candidates that can win,鈥� Reed said. 鈥淗e wants to win.鈥�
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