Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp endorsed Rep. Mike Collins on Monday in the Republican congressman’s campaign to challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff for Georgia’s U.S. Senate seat.

Kemp said Collins has delivered results as a businessman and described him as a “commonsense leader in Washington” who would put Georgia first. Collins said he was honored to receive the governor’s support and called Kemp a friend.

“Mike Collins and I share a commitment to making Georgia an even better place to live, work, and raise a family,” Kemp said in his endorsement. “Mike has delivered results as a businessman and commonsense leader in Washington, and that’s what we need in our next Senator.”

The endorsement marks a shift from the Republican primary, when Kemp supported former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley. Collins ultimately defeated Dooley in the Republican runoff after President Donald Trump endorsed Collins during the final stretch of the contest.

Collins, who represents Georgia’s 10th Congressional District, is now preparing for a general election contest against Ossoff. Collins has emphasized issues including border security, federal spending and economic policy during his campaign.

Ossoff was first elected to the Senate in a 2021 runoff and is seeking a second term. The November race is among the closely watched Senate contests of the 2026 election cycle.

Collins welcomed Kemp’s endorsement, saying he was grateful to have the governor “standing with me” as he campaigns to take the Senate seat from Ossoff.