Derek Dooley Slams Congressman Mike Collins for Taxpayer-Funded Corruption, Calls on Collins to Return $95,000
ATLANTA – Political outsider and candidate for United States Senate, Derek Dooley, is slamming Rep. Mike Collins for using nearly one hundred thousand dollars in taxpayer money to pay for television ads promoting his Senate campaign–the latest in multiple, egregious misuses of taxpayer funds by Congressman Collins’ office, which is also under an ongoing ethics investigation.
Rep. Collins is running television ads in the Atlanta media market–which is largely outside of Rep. Collins’ 10th congressional district–with a $95,232 cable buy airing this ad under the guise of “franking”, a privilege given to members of Congress to communicate with their constituents regarding official congressional business, not political campaign activity.
Collins’ advertising buy started on January 23rd of 2026 and ends on March 22nd, which infringes on the 60-day blackout restriction for taxpayer-funded advertisements by congressional offices prior to primary or general elections given the Republican primary for U.S. Senate will take place on May 19th. The taxpayer-funded advertisement also mirrors similar messaging from Collins’ campaign.
“This is blatant, taxpayer-funded corruption by Congressman Mike Collins,” said Derek Dooley, Republican candidate for United States Senate. “Instead of using his own campaign funds to pay for television advertisements three months before the primary, he is using nearly $100,000 of your tax dollars. At minimum, Collins should apologize and refund the money from his own pocket immediately.
“This corruption from D.C. politicians who abuse the system to stay in power must end. As U.S. Senator, I will introduce legislation to stop taxpayer-funded campaigning and ensure the money Georgians send to Washington is used to fund the priorities of the American people, not the political ambitions of self-serving politicians. This is just one of many reforms that I will champion to make Washington work for the people, not the politicians.”
This is just the latest in a series of egregious misuses of taxpayer funds by Congressman Collins’ office, which continues to be under investigation by congressional ethics officials.
Atlanta Journal Constitution: “Ethics Committee reviewing claims U.S. Rep. Mike Collins misused funds”
Associated Press: “Top aide to Georgia’s Mike Collins improperly hired girlfriend as intern”
NOTUS: Top Aide to Rep. Mike Collins Was Reimbursed for More Than $170,000 in Office Expenses
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