Former 9th District, Georgia Congressman Doug Collins announced Monday he will not run for office in 2022. Collins had been considered a top Republican contender for U.S. Senator or governor.
The former three-term congressman weighed a possible run against Democratic Senator Ralph Warnock. However, former President Donald Trump has signaled his support for ex-UGA football star Herschel Walker in that race. The GOP primary field effectively remains frozen until Walker decides.
“For those who may wonder, this is goodbye for now, but probably not forever. I do plan on staying involved in shaping our conservative message to help Republicans win back the House and the Senate and help more strong conservative candidates get elected here in Georgia,” Collins said in a statement on Twitter. “I believe that we, as conservatives, must be able to clearly communicate our values, and I will help keep that fight going.”
I’m announcing today that I will not be a candidate for any office in the next election cycle. Read more ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/IruVtnjZl7
— Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) April 26, 2021
Collins left office in January after an unsuccessful Senate run. Still, he continues to enjoy strong support among North Georgia Republicans. Many saw him as a possible foil to Gov. Brian Kemp’s reelection bid. That speculation ended Monday when the Gainesville native made his announcement on Twitter.
While in Congress, Collins served as the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee and staunchly defended Trump during his first impeachment trial. He joined a Clarkesville, Georgia, law firm after leaving Congress and continues to tout his work on the criminal justice reform bill known as the First Step Act.
