Latest news with #GeorgiaSenate
Fox News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
SCOOP: Rep. Mike Collins teases Georgia Senate bid
SCOOP: Rep. Mike Collins is eying a bid in the Georgia Senate race to challenge incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. Republicans are salivating at the chance to flip the seat, and Collins, in a video first obtained by Fox News Digital, contended that Ossoff "must go." "It was never in my plans to run for the U.S. Senate," Collins said. "I love what I'm doing now. I think I've been effective for my district, the state. I love my district." "I mean, just good, solid, hard-working people," he continued. "But I also understand that sometimes you don't do what you want to do, but what you need to do." Collins, a two-term lawmaker representing Georgia's 10th Congressional District, still didn't directly say that he was jumping into the race, and noted that he would first consult with his family and President Donald Trump to determine "where we can be the best, most beneficial help in this mission to make sure that we get a Republican in the U.S. Senate from Georgia." The lawmaker became a staple on the road during Trump's campaign last year, and his bill, the Laken Riley Act, was the first signed into law by the president during his second term. Collins argued that Ossoff "doesn't represent the Georgia values that I cherish so much," and noted that Republicans have largely dominated the state in recent elections, including Trump's victory in November. Still, Ossoff, who is seeking re-election for a second term, was the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in the Peach State in roughly two decades. Speaking on behalf of Ossoff's campaign, Devon Cruz, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Georgia, said in a statement to Fox News Digital, "Immediately after voting to rip away health insurance from 750,000 Georgians, Rep. Mike Collins now wants Georgians to give him a promotion?" Cruz continued, "Collins would join a crowded, messy primary that will leave the GOP nominee badly bruised, while Sen. Jon Ossoff is building massive momentum to take on whichever Donald Trump loyalist limps over the finish line." Senate Republicans now view Ossoff's seat as one of the most viable flip opportunities in the upcoming 2026 midterm cycle, when the GOP hopes to keep and expand upon its thin majority in the upper chamber. Should Collins dive all the way into the race, he will go face-to-face against fellow Georgia Republican Rep. Buddy Carter and Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King in the Republican primary. Carter was the first Republican to jump into the contest after Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who was considered a heavy favorite to run against Ossoff, opted to forgo a Senate bid. Recent polling on the race has found that Collins may have an edge against his fellow GOP competitors. The conservative-leaning Trafalgar Group found in a survey conducted in April with 1,426 respondents that Collins held just over a 23-point edge over Carter, who came in second ahead of Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., and King. In a face-off with Ossoff, however, Collins still trailed the Senator by just shy of 5 points. In another straw poll conducted during the Georgia Republican Party State Convention earlier this month with roughly 1,200 respondents, Collins earned the support of 39% of those polled compared to Carter's 13%.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Georgia Supreme Court to hear Fani Willis subpoena dispute
The Brief The Georgia Supreme Court has agreed to hear Fulton DA Fani Willis's appeal over whether a state Senate committee can legally subpoena her and her office for testimony and records. Senate Republicans, citing concerns over public spending and Willis's role in the Trump election case, launched the probe after revelations of her relationship with former prosecutor Nathan Wade. A new state law signed by Gov. Kemp expanded lawmakers' subpoena powers, bolstering the committee's authority as it continues investigating Willis and other prominent Democrats. FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - The Georgia Supreme Court has agreed to take up a high-stakes legal battle between Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and a state Senate committee that has been trying to compel her testimony and obtain records from her office. What we know The dispute stems from the Republican-led Senate Special Committee on Investigations, which was created after revelations about Willis's past relationship with former special prosecutor Nathan Wade. The committee has demanded that Willis testify and hand over documents tied to the 2020 election interference case, as well as records related to her office's interactions with the Biden administration and use of public funds. Willis has refused to comply, arguing the committee lacks the constitutional authority to subpoena her and is seeking protected information. A Fulton County judge previously ruled against her, prompting an appeal now headed to the state's highest court. Because the case raises constitutional questions, the justices were required to accept it. PREVIOUS STORIES Georgia Senate committee pushes for subpoena enforcement in DA Willis probe Fulton County judge rejects DA Willis' Bid to quash Senate committee subpoenas Georgia Senate committee to reissue subpoena for DA Fani Willis in Trump election probe Georgia Senate vs Fulton County DA Fani Willis: Vote to continue probe What they're saying Sen. Bill Cowsert, the Republican leading the investigation, expressed confidence in the court's upcoming decision. "Nobody is above the law, including District Attorney Willis," he said. A recent state law signed by Gov. Brian Kemp strengthens the Legislature's power to issue subpoenas and conduct investigations — a key element in this case. What's next The Supreme Court is also expected to rule soon on whether Willis can resume leading the Trump election case after the Georgia Court of Appeals ordered her removal last year. RELATED STORIES Trump opposes DA Fani Willis' bid to rejoin Georgia election interference case AG Carr urges state Supreme Court to reject DA Willis' appeal in Trump case
Washington Post
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Former Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley eyes GOP Senate run against Jon Ossoff in Georgia
DALTON, Ga. — Derek Dooley, a former University of Tennessee football coach, said Friday that he is considering a Republican run for U.S. Senate in Georgia in 2026 against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff . The trial balloon shows how Gov. Brian Kemp's decision not to run for the seat has left Georgia Republicans looking for other options to face off against Ossoff, considered the most vulnerable Democratic incumbent up for reelection next year.
Associated Press
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Former Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley eyes GOP Senate run against Jon Ossoff in Georgia
DALTON, Ga. (AP) — Derek Dooley, a former University of Tennessee football coach, said Friday that he is considering a Republican run for U.S. Senate in Georgia in 2026 against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff. The trial balloon shows how Gov. Brian Kemp's decision not to run for the seat has left Georgia Republicans looking for other options to face off against Ossoff, considered the most vulnerable Democratic incumbent up for reelection next year. Dooley, 56, said he would decide on a bid in coming weeks. 'Georgia deserves stronger common-sense leadership in the U.S. Senate that represents all Georgians and focuses on results — not headlines,' Dooley said in a statement. 'I believe our state needs a political outsider in Washington — not another career politician — to cut through the noise and partisanship and get back to real problem solving.' The announcement, first reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, came as other declared candidates stumped before the state Republican convention in the northwest Georgia city of Dalton. Among Republicans who have declared their candidacies are U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, Insurance Commissioner John King and activist Reagan Box. Other Republicans who could run include U.S. Reps. Mike Collins and Rich McCormick, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and state Sen. Greg Dolezal. Attacks on Ossoff were among the most reliable applause lines during Friday afternoon speeches at the convention. 'Folks, President Trump needs backup, he needs backup in the Senate,' King said. Dooley has never run for office before. His appeal wouldn't be based on his career 32-41 record at Louisiana Tech and Tennessee, but his status as the son of legendary University Georgia coach Vince Dooley and Kemp's long ties to the Dooley family. As a teenager, Kemp was a frequent guest in the Dooley home, and roomed with Derek's brother, Daniel Dooley, at the University of Georgia. Kemp has the most effective Republican political organization in Georgia, and he would likely give Dooley a big credibility boost. Kemp and President Donald Trump have been trying to agree on a mutual candidate to back for Senate in 2026, hoping to avoid the conflict that plagued Kelly Loeffler's unsuccessful run, where she lost to Democrat Raphael Warnock in a 2021 runoff. That, along with Republican David Perdue's loss to Ossoff on the same day handed control of the U.S. Senate to Democrats. Trump had preferred then U.S. Rep Doug Jones instead of Loeffler. Then in 2022, Trump anointed Georgia football legend Herschel Walker as the Republican nominee, but Warnock turned back Walker's flawed candidacy in another runoff. Kemp only swung in to help Walker in the runoff. The effort to screen 2026 candidates has already produced some results, with U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene saying she wouldn't bring her right-wing positions to the Senate campaign trail. Dooley would be far from the first sports figure to run for office. His father was frequently discussed as a possible candidate, but never took the plunge. But other coaches have gone far. Former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville was elected to the Senate in 2020 and is now likely to run for governor. Former Ohio State University coach Jim Tressel is currently that state's lieutenant governor. And University of Nebraska coaching legend Tom Osborne served three terms in the U.S. House. Dooley walked on in football at the University of Virginia and earned a scholarship as a wide receiver. He earned a law degree from the University of Georgia and briefly practiced law in Atlanta before working his way up the college coaching ladder, becoming head coach for three years at Louisiana Tech and then moving on to Tennessee. Dooley recorded three consecutive losing seasons in Knoxville before he was fired in 2012 after losing to in-state rival Vanderbilt. After that, he has worked as an assistant coach for the NFL's Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys, the University of Missouri and the New York Giants. Most recently, Dooley was an offensive analyst with the University of Alabama.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Some pornography websites soon to be impacted by new Georgia law. What is SB 351?
A new Georgia law will go into effect July 1 which will impact a range of Internet uses, including a big one. In 2023 alone, PornHub saw more than 10 billion visits every month, according to Statista, and that's not including all of the other pornography websites. But new legislation around the country is impacting the industry, and the "Protecting Georgia's Children on Social Media Act of 2024" is next. Here's a closer look at the bill and what it will do: Signed by Gov. Brian Kemp in April, Georgia Senate Bill 351 is also known as the "Protecting Georgia's Children on Social Media Act." Its overall goal is to promote "safe and appropriate" use of technology, especially to young people. Here are a few things it requires: The Department of Education will develop model programs for educating students regarding online safety while using the Internet. Local school boards must implement programs in all grade levels discouraging bullying and promoting responsible digital citizenship. No social media platform will permit minor users without a parent or guardian's express consent. One of the items of this bill requires public websites with "a substantial portion of material that is harmful to minors" to use an age verification system. The most common form of this would be the submission of a government ID (like a driver's license). The bill has some specific language defining "material that is harmful to minors." It also has more broad language: "Any material that the average person, applying contemporary communitystandards, would find, taking the material as a whole and with respect to minors, isdesigned to appeal to, or is designed to pander to, prurient interest." "Prurient" is defined as "Having or encouraging an excessive interest in sexual matters." Child safety advocates and state legislators argue that more needs to be done to keep children safe online and away from adult material. Free speech advocates and adult entertainment lobbyists say the laws are hurting adults who have the right to access such content and warn that the definition of "adult material" can be weaponized against sex education sites, medical advice sites, and sites with LGBTQ+ content whether it is erotic or not, and say the requirement to share personal information is both excessive and ineffective. The Free Speech Coalition, a trade association of the adult entertainment industry, has already filed lawsuits on laws like these in other states. According to some pornographic sites have complied with the new law and added age verification systems. However, others have decided to block any users in the affected states from using their websites. The most high-profile one is likely PornHub, which recently pulled its services from all of France over such a law. Residents of more than a dozen states with age verification laws who go to the site do not have access to any of its videos will only see a message read aloud by an adult entertainment actress. In short, PornHub said providing your ID every time is not the most effective solution for protecting users and will put children and users' privacy at risk. They go on to encourage users to contact their representatives to demand device-based verification solutions. When Georgia's law takes effect next month, it's likely this same message will be visible to those who try going to PornHub and similar sites. Searches for VPN options have begun to trend in the affected states, and Georgia may see more users after July as well. A VPN allows the user to hide their computer's address and route their connection through other locations, including other states or countries. This would allow someone in a blocked state to access PornHub. While it is not expressly a pornographic website, OnlyFans has become an incredibly popular platform for those in the adult entertainment industry. Those who use it engage with fans and post photos and videos on their pages in exchange for tips and subscriptions. Currently, the age verification laws block seemingly any access to the affected websites. But in the case of OnlyFans, users can still access free or paid accounts they follow. However, any new subscriptions (free or paid) will require age verification if you haven't provided it already. Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X and Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@ This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Pornography partially blocked by new Georgia law starting July 1
