Head of GOP Senate campaign committee blasts Doug Collins’ challenge to Sen. Loeffler as ‘selfishness’
WASHINGTON – The National Republican Senatorial Committee reacted harshly to Rep. Doug Collins’ announcement that he will challenge incumbent Sen. Kelly Loeffler in a November special election, calling the move selfish and shortsighted.
Collins announced his candidacy during a Fox News interview Wednesday morning.
“Well, I know there’s been some discussion about it and I’ve been asked by you all before about the Senate race down here, and I’m just going to confirm we are in for the Georgia Senate race down here,” he said, adding he has an event planned in his home state to launch his campaign.
“We’re getting ready for a good time down here to keep defending this president and keep working for the people of Georgia,” he said.
“The shortsightedness in this decision is stunning,” NRSC director Kevin McLaughlin said in a statement. McLaughlin said Collins’ “selfishness” would hurt Loeffler, as well as Sen. David Perdue and President Donald Trump, who will also be on the Nov. 3 ballot.
“All he has done is put two Senate seats, multiple house seats, and Georgia’s 16 electoral votes in play,” McLaughlin said. “The NRSC stands firmly behind Sen. Kelly Loeffler and urges anyone who wants to re-elect President Trump, hold the GOP Senate majority, and stop socialism to do the same.”
Trump wanted Collins to fill the seat of Sen. Johnny Isakson, who retired in December for health reasons, but Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Loeffler, a wealthy businesswoman and GOP donor who had not previously held office.
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Collins has been a fierce supporter of the president. As the ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, he was one of Trump’s most visible congressional defenders during the impeachment inquiry. But Kemp selected Loeffler, who is prepared to spend as much as $20 million of her own money on the race, and who he thought could appeal to a wider range of voters.
The special election does not include a primary, meaning Loeffler, Collins and other challengers from both parties will be on the ballot to fill the seat. If no one wins a majority, there would be a runoff election.
“Are you ready for this task and are you concerned that you guys will tear each other apart and open up the seat for a Democrat?” asked “Fox Friends” co-host Brian Kilmeade during the interview with Collins.
“No, we’re not concerned about that at all. I’m concerned about going to the people of Georgia,” Collins said. “I think we’ve fought for the president, we’ve fought for our state, and we’ve fought for this country, and we’re going to continue to do that. And I look forward to a good exchange of ideas and look forward to this election.”
When asked if he thought Trump would endorse him, Collins said that was “up to the president,” adding, “I appreciate all of his help and support in the past.”
A measure to add party primaries has been introduced in the state House, but Kemp has threatened to veto it.
“You don’t change the rules at half-time to benefit one team over another,” Kemp spokeswoman Candice Broce said in a statement on Monday.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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