Georgia Republican Senate candidate Mike Collins faced an uncomfortable question about his record during a campaign appearance over the weekend.
Senate Republican Leader John Thune, a major GOP fundraiser who traveled to Georgia to support Collins in his competitive race, struggled to give a direct response when reporters raised the issue.
A local journalist asked about an ongoing congressional ethics inquiry involving Collins after Our News Outlet reported that his former chief of staff allegedly used taxpayer-funded resources to place the aide’s significantly younger girlfriend in a job she did not perform. Collins, who is seeking a Senate seat, has dismissed the allegations as baseless.
“Should Georgia voters be concerned?” the reporter asked.
Thune replied that he was unfamiliar with the full details but believed Collins had already addressed the matter. He then turned to the candidate and asked whether he wanted to respond.
Collins characterized the ethics case as a “nothingburger” and rejected the controversy surrounding it.
He added that he was looking forward to the investigation’s conclusion and what he described as an eventual exoneration.
Collins is challenging Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff, once viewed as one of the Senate’s most politically exposed Democrats at the beginning of the election cycle. Since then, Ossoff has built a considerable fundraising edge and leads Collins by double digits in some surveys.
A YouGov survey conducted from September 15 through 18 found Ossoff ahead by 10 percentage points. The Democrat received support from 52 percent of respondents, compared with 42 percent for Collins.
Georgia Republican Senate candidate Mike Collins addresses attendees at the 2026 Republican National Convention in Dallas in September
Senate Majority Leader John Thune answers questions from reporters at the US Capitol in Washington
Incumbent US Senator Jon Ossoff speaks at a campaign gathering in Athens, Georgia
The Collins campaign has also faced scrutiny over inflammatory social-media activity linked to people in his wider circle, including his son-in-law, David Alan Scheer II.
Our News Outlet previously reported that Scheer, who lives on property belonging to Collins, had shared white nationalist views, anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and Nazi imagery online.
His posts reportedly included calls for Muslims to be deported as well as content endorsing the white nationalist movement.
Scheer has not publicly issued a detailed denial of the posts cited in the reporting. Collins has attempted to separate himself from his son-in-law’s positions, stressing that Scheer has no involvement in the campaign and condemning the material.
Collins has also maintained that the views expressed in those posts do not reflect his own.
A family photo featured on Representative Mike Collins’ campaign site features his daughter Summer Collins (center) with her husband
Collins’ former chief of staff (right) allegedly hired his girlfriend, Caroline Craze (left) as an intern and paid her for work that she allegedly did not perform
Collins’ family Christmas card featured his son-in-law David Alan Scheer II
A former intern for Collins was also photographed in KKK garb, further complicating the Republican’s efforts to broaden his appeal to Georgia voters.
The controversies have continued to overshadow his campaign, but ultimately, the biggest problem is money.
Ossoff has built one of the largest Senate campaign war chests in the country, with nearly $98 million raised this election cycle, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Collins, by comparison, had raised about $7.4 million through June 30, according to Federal Election Commission filings. His campaign committee reported roughly $2.08 million in cash on hand at the end of June.
The enormous fundraising disparity gives Ossoff significantly more money to spend on his reelection campaign.
Republican-aligned outside groups are attempting to close the gap with major spending commitments aimed at keeping the seat competitive, and Thune’s recent visit shows he thinks the seat is still one his party could chalk up in their win column.
