Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) scored an endorsement from Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), the chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, in his bid for the Senate.
On Monday morning, Collins announced the endorsement in a series of tweets, “[Andy Biggs], Chairman of the Freedom Caucus is one of the true champions in D.C. fighting to cut our national debt, a relentless defender of President Trump, and a great friend. I am honored to have his support in this race for the Senate!”
.@andybiggs4az, Chairman of the Freedom Caucus is one of the true champions in D.C. fighting to cut our national debt, a relentless defender of President Trump, and a great friend. I am honored to have his support in this race for the Senate! #gapol #gasen pic.twitter.com/eOsHWiBvHC
— Doug Collins (@CollinsforGA) February 24, 2020
“I am pleased to support my good friend and freedom fighter, Congressman Doug Collins, for the office of Senator for the great state of Georgia,” Biggs said in remarks endorsing Collins.
“I am pleased to support my good friend and freedom fighter, Congressman Doug Collins, for the office of Senator for the great state of Georgia."
— Doug Collins (@CollinsforGA) February 24, 2020
“He has supported my bill that requires Congress to recognize that our outrageous national debt is a security threat to the U.S.
“You know Doug as a longtime Representative of Georgia’s 9th Congressional District, and for his fierce defense of President Donald J. Trump. I would be honored if you would join me in supporting Doug Collins for the United States Senate.”
— Doug Collins (@CollinsforGA) February 24, 2020
Collins, the outgoing ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, announced his bid for the Senate on January 29, as IJR has previously reported.
President Donald Trump reportedly pressured Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) to appoint Collins to the seat that was left vacant when Johnny Isakson retired at the end of 2019.
However, Kemp bucked pressure from conservatives and appointed businesswoman Kelly Loeffler. Despite concerns that Loeffler would not vote conservatively, she has voted largely with Trump during her short time in office — according to FiveThirtyEight’s vote tracker.
After Collins announced his decision to run for the Senate the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) blasted the Georgia congressman for his “selfishness.”
“Doug Collins’ selfishness will hurt [Sen.] David Perdue, Kelly Loeffler, and President Trump. Not to mention the people of Georgia who stand to bear the burden of it for years to come,” Kevin McLaughlin, the executive director of the NRSC, said in a statement.
However, Collins dismissed that statement as “fake news coming from the head of a Washington-based group whose bylaws require him to support all incumbents, even unelected ones.”
Don't be ridiculous, this is FAKE NEWS coming from the head of a Washington-based group whose bylaws require him to support all incumbents, even unelected ones. https://t.co/azpS3PzaCJ
— Doug Collins (@CollinsforGA) January 29, 2020
Last week it was reported that Trump was considering tapping Collins to be the National Director of Intelligence — a move that was seen as a way to avoid a contentious primary challenge between Collins and Loeffler.
However, Collins said he was not interested in that position and said he was “sure the president will pick somebody appropriate for that job.”
So far, Trump has not endorsed Loeffler or Collins ahead of the jungle primary election on November 3.
