The race for U.S. Senate in Georgia is already getting expensive more than a year out. Photo via Getty Images
How much does it cost to run for the U.S. Senate in Georgia? Millions of dollars are already pouring into the coffers of Republicans hoping to claim the office – and of Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, who is fighting to hold onto it.
In dueling Monday morning press releases, Republican Congressman Mike Collins and former football coach Derek Dooley each touted sums approaching $2 million in direct contributions over the last three months.
The candidates were referring to third quarter reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. Those reports count donations made through Sept. 30, but are not due to the FEC until Oct. 15. As of Monday evening, none of Georgia’s major Senate candidates’ reports had been posted to the FEC’s website.
Collins’ campaign boasted raising $1.9 million from more than 40,000 donors, with an average contribution of $47.31. The campaign said donations came from all of Georgia’s 159 counties and all 50 states plus Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“There is no denying this is a movement growing stronger every day, and people are voting with their wallets,” Collins said in a statement. “I am amazed and truly grateful for the trust so many have put in this effort. Ours is a campaign fueled by the hardworking people of this state who are energized, mobilized, and ready to fire Jon Ossoff and send an America First conservative workhorse to the U.S. Senate.”
Collins also reported transferring just over $1 million from his congressional campaign and said he ended the quarter with $2.4 million cash on hand.
Dooley’s campaign said the former University of Tennessee Coach and attorney brought in just over $1.85 million, though did not provide details about the source of the contributions, and entered the last quarter of the year with $1.7 million cash on hand.
“This incredible, early support for our campaign proves that hardworking Georgians want a political outsider with common-sense leadership representing them in the U.S. Senate,” Dooley said in a statement. “For the past eight weeks, we’ve hit the ground running at full speed in order to build the operation needed to win this seat back for the people of Georgia. I’m deeply honored by everyone who has joined our campaign, and I am greatly humbled by the trust they have instilled in me.”
Carter was the first major Republican to enter the race, tossing his hat into the ring in early May – Collins and Dooley entered in late July and early August, respectively – and Carter has used his head start to amass a healthy nest egg.
Carter’s second quarter report ending in June showed just over $4 million cash on hand, including a $2 million loan from himself.
Whichever Republican emerges victorious from the May primary is likely to be on the receiving end of a flood of GOP money. Ossoff is the only Democratic senator running for re-election in 2026 in a state won by President Donald Trump in 2024, making his seat in Georgia a top target.
But Ossoff has also been busy filling his campaign coffers. Ossoff’s campaign has not yet released his latest numbers, but his June filings show the senator ending that month with $15 million cash on hand.
Democrats are hoping a close fundraising race for the GOP side portends an ugly primary fight that will damage the eventual winner.
“Mike Collins and Derek Dooley’s neck-and-neck fundraising reports further underscore that Georgia Republicans are in a messy, chaotic U.S. Senate primary for the long haul,” said Democratic Party of Georgia Senior Communications Advisor Devon Cruz.
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