The Georgia Hour, episode 132: Georgia’s 2026 Senate Race: A GOP Civil War?

The 2026 Georgia Senate race is shaping up as a contentious battle within the Republican Party, pitting supporters of former President Donald Trump against those aligned with Governor Brian Kemp. U.S. Representative Mike Collins, a staunch Trump ally and author of the Laken Riley Act, is positioned as a leading contender for the GOP nomination to challenge Democratic incumbent Senator Jon Ossoff. Collins leverages his "America First" credentials and loyalty to Trump, contrasting himself with former football coach Derek Dooley, who is backed by Kemp but criticized for never voting for Trump, not donating to Republican causes, and lacking conservative credentials. Dooley’s campaign is a Kemp-orchestrated move to undermine Trump’s influence. The race is further complicated by allegations of corruption, notably the $140 million First Liberty Building and Loan (FLBL) Ponzi scheme linked to prominent Georgia Republican Edwin Brant Frost IV, with ties to Georgia GOP Chair Josh McKoon and his associate Katie Frost. McKoon’s leadership and the Frost family’s continued influence in GOP circles, despite the scandal, have raised concerns about party integrity. Additionally, Fulton County’s election board disputes and ongoing legal issues involving District Attorney Fani Willis add to the state’s political turmoil, with some framing it as a “crime scene” for election integrity. The GOP primary is increasingly seen as a Trump-Kemp proxy war, threatening to fracture the party as it seeks to reclaim a Senate seat in a critical swing state.