GOP Digest — June 12, 2026 | Georgia Senate Runoff Final Stretch: Mike Collins vs. Derek Dooley as Trump Endorsement Watch Intensifies

Georgia Senate runoff enters final stretch as Donald Trump endorsement watch intensifies:

With the June 16 runoff just four days away, Rep. Mike Collins and former football coach Derek Dooley are making their closing arguments for the right to face Democrat Jon Ossoff in November. President Trump has not yet endorsed, and a Collins pick would set up a proxy fight with Gov. Brian Kemp, who is backing Dooley. Collins entered the runoff with a commanding lead — 41% to Dooley's 30% in the primary, and 55%–39% in the most recent public runoff polling.

Jared Hudson leads Barry Moore in Alabama Senate runoff:

Former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson leads Rep. Barry Moore 48.7%–39.2% with 12% undecided in the latest statewide survey of likely runoff voters ahead of Tuesday's June 16 runoff — the first public poll showing Hudson on top. The winner is heavily favored in November to succeed Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor.

Forecasters reshuffle the 2026 Senate map:

The Cook Political Report on June 11 moved Alaska and Ohio from Lean Republican to Toss-up and shifted North Carolina from Toss-up to Lean Democrat, while Sabato's Crystal Ball issued its own updated ratings the same day. With Republicans defending 22 of the 35 seats on the ballot and holding a 53–47 majority, the updates sharpen the GOP's defensive priorities heading into the summer — though the path to holding the chamber still runs through the core battlegrounds, where nominees in Georgia and Alabama will be set Tuesday.

Republicans pass FAFSA fraud crackdown:

The House on June 11 passed H.R. 7892, the No Aid for Ghost Students Act, 249–172, requiring the Department of Education to run an identity-fraud detection system on every FAFSA application. The GOP-led measure targets so-called ghost students — fraudulent enrollees who siphon federal student aid — and drew bipartisan support.

Senate confirms another Trump judicial nominee:

The Senate on June 11 confirmed Anthony J. Powell of Kansas as U.S. District Judge for the District of Kansas, 50–44, continuing the steady pace of judicial confirmations under the Republican majority.