MARIETTA, Ga.— President Donald Trump came down to Georgia Wednesday to help boost the campaign of Republican Rep.
Mike Collins, a Senate candidate whom Trump said was one of the most “highly respected” members of Congress.Subscribe to read this story ad-freeGet unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The president took several shots at Collins’ opponent, Democratic Sen.Jon Ossoff, who he said looks like “Pee-wee Herman.”“You have to vote for Mike because he is running against Pee-wee Herman,” Trump said to a standing-room only gymnasium crowd at the city’s Wheeler High School.
“He will bring a lot of action back to your state … vote for Mike.”Republicans have an uphill climb in the nationally watched race, in part because Ossoff has already raised a massive $77 million this election cycle.Meanwhile, Republicans in the state endured a messy and expensive Senate GOP primary, which eventually concluded with Collins as the party’s nominee, but with little comparatively little money in his campaign account after raising $6.5 million to date.Collins, a current member of Congress, was not in attendance at the event due to key votes in Washington.
Trump opted against endorsing early in the Senate GOP primary, leaving a field that included a handful of well-funded candidates to attack each other as they jockeyed for Trump’s approval.Trump eventually endorsed Collins just days before the state’s June primary runoff, a last-minute nod as Collins already appeared poised to win his party’s nomination.After the brutal fight, Collins emerged with roughly $2 million cash on hand compared to Ossoff’s $42 million as of June 30.Because of Ossoff’s incumbent advantage and huge financial lead, the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter currently has the seat rated “leans Democratic,” but it is very much seen as in play.Democrats must defend Georgia as they try to play offense in other states and net four seats, which would fl...