Reps. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) and Mike Collins (R-Ga.) traded personal attacks during Sunday's Georgia Senate GOP primary debate, while former Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley largely remained above the fray with just one day before early voting begins in the May 19 primary.

The Atlanta Press Club's Loudermilk-Young debate series featured all five Republican candidates vying for the nomination to challenge Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) in November. Along with Carter, Collins and Dooley, former Senate candidate John Coyne and retired Brig. Gen. Jonathan McColumn also participated.

The race is considered one of Republicans' best pickup opportunities despite Georgia's Democratic lean. President Trump's potential endorsement looms large over the crowded field.

What the Left Is Saying

Carter focused his attacks on Collins' ethics troubles, citing an Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC) investigation into allegations that Collins and his then-chief of staff Brandon Phillips may have misused congressional resources.

"Mike, we all know, as has been stated, that you're under federal investigation by your own Republican colleagues for misuse of taxpayer funds … and with your aide," Carter said during the debate. "If taxpayers can't trust you to properly steward their money, how can they trust you to be a U.S. senator?"

The OCC report alleged that a woman who had a relationship with Phillips was paid as a "District Office Paid Intern" but did not perform any work for Collins' office while simultaneously employed at Cox Communications.

Collins called the allegations a "total nothing burger" and fired back by questioning Carter's ethics record, accusing him of being a career politician whose career has been "littered with complaints [and] crooked land deals."

What the Right Is Saying

Collins defended himself against the ethics allegations, which his office previously called "meritless" and "a sad attempt to derail one of Georgia's most effective conservative legislators in Congress." An attorney for Collins and Phillips said referrals stemmed from "two disgruntled, former members of Congressman Collins staff."

"You know, Buddy, I can tell through the voice that you know how the polling is going out there," Collins shot back during the debate.

Collins also highlighted Carter's own ethics history. Two FEC complaints were filed against Carter in 2017 and 2021 — both later dismissed by the commission. One complaint involved allegations of illegal money transfers from a state account to Carter's congressional campaign, while another accused him of violating federal campaign regulations while assembling what appeared to be a Senate campaign team.

Carter has faced scrutiny for supporting legislation that some observers said could benefit his pharmaceutical businesses. He has argued there are no conflicts of interest, noting his wife now owns those businesses.

What the Numbers Show

Five candidates are competing in the May 19 Republican primary: Carter, Collins, Dooley, Coyne and McColumn.

Recent polling shows Carter and Collins as the frontrunners, with Dooley trailing in third place despite receiving Gov. Brian Kemp's (R) endorsement.

Given the crowded field, it appears unlikely any candidate will reach the 50 percent threshold needed to avoid a June 16 runoff election.

Georgia's Senate race is widely viewed as one of Republicans' top pickup opportunities in 2026, though Ossoff won his 2021 special election by roughly 55,000 votes.

Both Carter and Collins sought to align themselves with President Trump during the debate, praising his military operations and policy positions. Dooley notably used "Georgia First" rather than "America First."

The Bottom Line

The debate showcased a contentious Republican primary that will likely determine which candidate faces Ossoff in November. With early voting beginning Monday, both Carter and Collins have significant vulnerabilities — Carter with his business interests and land dealings, Collins with the OCC investigation.

Trump has not yet endorsed in the race, and his decision could prove decisive. Dooley, while staying above the fray Sunday, may need a standout moment to improve his position given polling showing him trailing the two congressmen.

The winner of this primary will face Ossoff in a state that narrowly backed Trump in 2024 but also elected Democrats to both Senate seats in recent cycles.