Former U.S. Republican Congressman Doug Collins will not run for governor of Georgia in 2022 and he also will not pursue a U.S. Senate seat that year.
Collins tweeted the news Monday.
“For those who may wonder, this is goodbye for now but probably not forever,” Collins wrote.
“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. 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
The Georgia Star News publisher John Fredericks tweeted Monday that “this leaves the field open in the GOP Senate race for @HershelWalker — who is now expected to make a bid.”
Collins did not immediately return requests seeking comment Monday morning.
As reported last month, former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Georgia native and Heisman Trophy winner Hershel Walker represent Georgia in the U.S. Senate. The former NFL player often uses social media to express right-of-center beliefs. Walker has thus far not used his Twitter feed to address Trump’s endorsement.
As The Star News reported this month, former State Rep. Vernon Jones announced in Atlanta that he will run against incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp for Kemp’s job next year. Jones, a Republican, described Kemp as someone who, when needed, failed to fight — and that hasn’t escaped the notice of the 45th president.
“Make no mistake about it. He [Trump] is the leader of our party, and he will at all times be present in Georgia. You will feel it across this country come 2022 and 2024,” Jones said.
“There is absolutely nothing the governor can do to change his cut and run image in the eyes of 45 and his supporters in Georgia.”
According to Ballotpedia, Jones served in the Georgia House of Representatives as a Democrat between 2017 until January of this year. He left the Democratic Party in 2021 and switched to the GOP.
Collins, meanwhile, sidestepped questions about his own political future at last month’s launch party for the new Freedom WMLB 1690. The station broadcasts to Atlanta audiences through the John Fredericks Radio Network (JFRN).
“Don’t waffle on conservatism to me. Let’s stand up for what we believe and how we go about it,” Collins said at the gathering, adding he was tired of “us being the boring party.”
“I just wanted to find the nearest fork and stick it in my leg, because we’re boring people, and this is why Democrats are winning votes. This is why Democrats are going to the younger population, and they’re bringing people onto their side. Why?” Collins asked.
“Because they take a policy and they attach it to people. Nobody wants to know what your plan is unless they know how it affects them. And we have to get back to that.”
Collins also said he tires of conservatives who “only speak in bumper sticker,” and are “just a cream-filled cake with nothing in the middle.”
As reported, The Doug Collins Show airs 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. every weekday on 1690 AM in Atlanta.
Collins said he broadcasts his show because “it is the best thing I can do to get the word out about what we need to be about and how we need to do it.”
“If we aren’t training and only talk to each other, but this is the church [then] you don’t make converts in the church except maybe one that you drug in,” Collins said.
“We aren’t dragging enough people in. If we don’t go out and make converts then shame on us.”
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
