From Trucking to Capitol Hill
Before entering national politics, Mike Collins was a businessman rooted in his hometown of Jackson, Georgia. The son of former U.S. Representative Mac Collins, he grew up around both politics and enterprise. After graduating from Georgia State University with a business degree, he and his wife, Leigh Ann, started their own trucking company in the early 1990s. Beginning with a single truck, he grew the business into a significant operation with a fleet of over 100 trucks hauling freight across the country. This experience as an employer and business owner is central to his political identity, shaping his focus on cutting government spending and reducing regulations on small businesses. His pre-congressional career also included roles on the board
of a large Georgia credit union and as president of his local chamber of commerce.
A Determined Path to Congress
Mike Collins's journey to the U.S. House of Representatives was not immediate. He first ran for the seat in Georgia's 10th congressional district in 2014, when the incumbent decided not to seek reelection, but he did not win the primary. He remained involved in business and local affairs before launching another campaign for the same seat in the 2022 elections, after then-Congressman Jody Hice announced his own run for a different office. This time, Collins emerged victorious from a competitive Republican primary runoff and went on to win the general election with a decisive 64.5% of the vote. He was reelected to his House seat in 2024. In 2026, he secured the Republican nomination to run for the U.S. Senate in Georgia.
Policy and Politics in Washington
In Congress, Collins has established himself as a staunch conservative. His voting record aligns closely with the right flank of the Republican party, earning him a high rating from conservative groups like the Heritage Action for America. His policy priorities reflect his business background, with a strong emphasis on deregulation and what he terms fiscal responsibility. He was one of 71 Republicans who voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, a bipartisan deal to raise the debt ceiling. A key legislative focus for him has been bills aimed at streamlining permitting processes for construction and infrastructure projects, which he argues are necessary to lower costs and stimulate the economy. He also champions an "America First" foreign policy, which calls for prioritizing domestic needs over foreign aid without strict accountability.
A Key Voice in the Republican Conference
Since assuming office on January 3, 2023, Collins has become a vocal member of the House Republican Conference. He serves on several key committees, including Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources, and Science, Space, and Technology. His public persona is that of a fighter for conservative principles, and he has been a prominent supporter of Donald Trump. Collins has also been an active legislator, successfully passing bills into law, including the TRANQ Act aimed at combating narcotics. His strong stance on immigration was highlighted by his sponsorship of the Laken Riley Act, a bill passed in response to the murder of a nursing student in his district. Collins has proven to be an effective communicator for his party's base, using his platform to advocate for deportations and stricter border enforcement.
