Macon Magazine

October/November 2026 | maconmagazine.com 63 Collins won a somewhat gruelling Republican primary to earn the chance to face Osso , earning 40.5% of the vote in the initial election before defeating former college football coach Derek Dooley in the runo with 55.5% of the vote. Collins was born in Jackson, Georgia in 1967 and was elected as the U.S. House representative for District 10 in 2022. His father, Mac Collins, served in the U.S. House for more than a decade. Collins has noted his loyalty to President Trump and received an endorsement from him, often following his policies, particularly including harsh stances on immigration. Collins was one of the key supporters of the Laken Riley Act, a law expanding authority for immigration agencies to detain immigrants who are in the country illegally and accused of a crime. The law was named for the UGA student who was murdered while jogging on campus. Other campaign platforms include cutting federal spending and protecting gun rights, according to Collins' campaign website. Collins has faced scrutiny for a number of items, including a scandal involving his former chief of sta , Brandon Phillips, allegedly misusing taxpayer money. Collins has since attempted to distance himself from Phillips. Collins has also been criticized for his son-in-law, David Allen Scheer II, having links to Nazi imagery and white nationalist beliefs on social media. Osso has publicly attacked Collins for both items. Q U I C K K E Y P L AT F O R M S : • Tougher border/immigration policy • Second Amendment rights • Cutting federal spending Mike Collins nationalist beliefs on social media. Osso has held the o ce since 2021, when he defeated Republican David Perdue 50.6% to 49.4% in a special election. His campaign for re-election has largely hinged on his track record in the Senate since. Osso 's campaign website noting his legislation centered on goals like capping the price of insulin, exposing abuse of children in the foster care system and defending women's reproductive rights. Osso , who was born in Atlanta in 1987, has emphasized reform as a campaign platform to attract progressive voters. He has also supported some bipartisan e orts in the legislature, including a crackdown on fentanyl passing through the U.S. border and an expansion of technical training for housing construction in Washington. The incumbent has faced some scrutiny about a potential run for president in 2028, though Osso has repeatedly said he will not run. Collins has criticized the possible 2028 campaign and noted Osso 's national pool of donors. Q U I C K K E Y P L AT F O R M S : • Accountability and reform of government corruption in the Senate • Housing a ordability • Civil and human rights Jon Ossoff His campaign for re-election has largely hinged on his track record in the Senate since. Osso 's campaign website noting his legislation centered on goals like capping the price of insulin, exposing abuse of children in the foster care system and defending women's reproductive rights. Osso , who was born in Atlanta in 1987, has emphasized reform as a campaign platform to attract progressive voters. He

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