While grassroots activists were deciding the future of the Georgia Republican Party this past weekend during their annual convention in Dalton, they were also invited to participate in a straw poll. More than 1,200 Republicans took part in the survey conducted June 6-7 through Substack – a media platform.
One of the questions in the poll centered around the upcoming 2026 election for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Jon Ossoff. The unseating of Ossoff was the top issue as delegates elected their state party leaders for the next two years.
The poll asked who Republican activists would vote for if the election were held today.
The survey included Congressman Buddy Carter from Savannah and State Insurance Commissioner John King. Both are officially in the race and “have been jockeying for poll position for months.” Candidates considered likely to run or explore a run were also included in the poll – Atlanta businessman Clark Dean, technology executive Kyle Jessen, Congressman Mike Collins of Jackson, and former Tennessee Volunteers Head Football Coach Derek Dooley.
The survey showed two-term Congressman Mike Collins as a 26-point favorite among Conservative activists, with 39 percent of respondents choosing him. “Undecided” was at 20 percent. Carter received 13 percent, Commissioner King and “Other” tied with 11 percent. Jessen had 4 percent and Dooley finished at 2 percent.
The poll also asked about the participants’ choice for Georgia Governor. Survey results show prospective candidate Lt. Governor Burt Jones “with a massive early lead” over Attorney General Chris Carr. The results went on to say that “Jones has yet to announce his candidacy but is already seen as the top choice among grassroots Republicans.” Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger polled at 2 percent.
The race for Georgia’s Lt. Governor was also included in the poll. Four State Senators and a party activist are the only candidates so far appearing to set up campaigns to replace Jones in the Republican Primary Results showed that “controversial State Sen. Colton Moore leads the early field with 24 percent support.”
Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch received 20 percent, Senate Pro-Tem John Kennedy received 10 percent, Senate Appropriations Chairman Blake Tillery had 6 percent, and activist Takosha Swan had 4 percent. And 34 percent of the respondents said they have not yet chosen a favorite.
According to the survey, President Donald Trump commands a combined 95 percent favorability rating with survey respondents, and continues to be the standard-bearer for Conservatives in Georgia. And in what will likely be a packed field to replace Donald Trump in 2028, respondents overwhelmingly chose Vice President J.D. Vance.
Florida Governor Ron Desantis, took second with 15 percent, Marco Rubio and “Undecided” came it at 9 percent each. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp polled at 6 percent with grassroots activists.
