Doug Collins, a Trump Ally, Is Expected to Run for Georgia Senate

Collins’ long-expected decision sets the stage for a brutal Republican-on-Republican fight that will put a prominent House conservative known for his defenses of Trump against a wealthy businesswoman appointed in recent weeks to fill the state’s vacant Senate seat. Collins is expected to announce his campaign on Tuesday, according to the people familiar with his plans, who were not authorized to discuss it publicly.

He enters the race with widespread name recognition on the right, having served as the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee during its impeachment trials and now a member of Trump’s impeachment defense team. Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia, a Republican, passed Collins over in favor of Loeffler when he selected a temporary replacement for retiring Sen. Johnny Isakson late last year.

He did so despite direct entreaties from Trump and some of his allies on Collins’ behalf, and their complaints that Loeffler was not a reliable enough supporter of the president.

Loeffler, a prominent political donor and political newcomer, has spent the weeks since trying to burnish a conservative record. She did so again on Monday just hours before news of Collins’ campaign surfaced. She attacked Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, a Republican she once donated large sums of money to, for advocating that witnesses be called in Trump’s impeachment trial.

“After 2 weeks, it’s clear that Democrats have no case for impeachment,” she wrote. “Sadly, my colleague @SenatorRomney wants to appease the left by calling witnesses who will slander the @realDonaldTrump during their 15 minutes of fame. The circus is over. It’s time to move on!”

This article originally appeared in The New York Times .