Top Georgia Republican endorses Doug Collins Senate bid

Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-Ga.) on Monday announced his support for Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) in his bid to unseat Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), providing Collins with a key endorsement in the heated battle over the seat formerly held by Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.). 

Ferguson, the House GOP’s chief deputy whip, is the first of the Georgia delegation to endorse Collins, lauding his work defending President Trump during the impeachment proceedings while serving as the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee. 

“When [Speaker] Nancy Pelosi [D-Calif.], [Rep.] Adam Schiff [D-Calif.] and their crazy entourage went after the President, we didn’t have to wonder where Doug Collins stood. He was on the front lines as the President’s number one defender in the entire country,” he said in a statement. 

“He did the President and the country a great service and his arguments carried the day. We knew with absolute certainty where Doug stood from day one and we know with the same certainty where he will stand in the future. That certainty is critical in these challenging times,” he added. 

Ferguson went on to call on his colleagues to rally behind one another, taking a thinly veiled swing at Loeffler, who recently came under fire for buying and selling large quantities of stock following a classified briefing. Loeffler adamantly denies any wrongdoing, asserting her investments are managed by outside investment advisers. 

“Doug is a proven leader — a steady hand in tough times. He knows what it takes to lead. Right now, we have lives and businesses and an economy to save and we don’t need anything to take our focus off of that mission,” Ferguson continued in his statement.  

“Georgia Republicans need to unify behind Doug and leave the distractions and uncertainty of other candidates in the rearview mirror. Doug Collins is my friend and he’s done a great job for Georgia in Congress. He will be an outstanding Senator and he has my full support in his campaign,” he added.

Collins announced his decision to challenge Loeffler — who was appointed by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) to fill Isakson’s seat after he stepped down at the end of last year due to a series of health issues — in January, sparking strong intraparty tensions. 

Both candidates have received high-profile endorsements, with Collins receiving support from House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), American Conservative Union Chairman Matt Schlapp, Fox News host Sean Hannity and conservative radio host Mark Levin. 

Loeffler has received the backing of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, among others. 

Collins thanked Ferguson for his endorsement, saying he’s “honored and humbled” to receive his support. 

“It means more to me than I can express that Drew is standing by my side in this campaign. He is an indispensable leader in the fight for the President’s agenda, a tireless champion for his district and a very good friend,” he said in a statement.  

“Drew’s rapid rise to a leadership position came due to his smarts, hard work and ability to serve as an honest broker between all the disparate views held in the House Chamber. I will lean on his wisdom during this campaign as I do in Washington,” he added.