2026 Georgia US Senate Voters Guide

Mike Collins (R) vs James Talarico (D)

US Senate | Election | Nov 3, 2026

The Candidates

Mike Collins

Mike Collins

Republican

James Talarico

James Talarico

Democrat

Incumbent

The Issues

Abortion

Ban or legal?

Mike Collins (R)

Ban. I am unapologetically pro-life.” Supports Georgia’s 6-week “fetal heartbeat” abortion ban. Supported the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade. Sponsored a bill declaring that life begins at conception. Voted to introduce criminal penalties for healthcare practitioners who fail to provide the required degree of care for an infant who survives an attempted abortion.

James Talarico (D)

Legal. Says Georgia’s 6-week abortion ban “strips women of autonomy” and puts “women’s lives and…health at risk.” Sponsored a bill to prohibit governmental restrictions on abortion. Voted against introducing criminal penalties for healthcare practitioners who fail to provide the required degree of care for an infant who survives an attempted abortion.

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Climate Change

Should climate change be a top priority?

Mike Collins (R)

No. Voted to end Biden-era clean energy tax credits. Voted to repeal programs for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Sponsored a bill to prohibit “retroactive climate liability lawsuits” against oil & gas companies. Voted to eliminate EPA waste emission charges on oil and gas facilities.

James Talarico (D)

Yes. Voted for $369 billion in clean energy investments. Voted against ending Biden-era clean energy tax credits. Introduced a 2021 bill to make “solar panels and other energy efficient technology more affordable” for families. “The U.S. must swiftly combat climate change.”

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Criminal Justice

How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?

Mike Collins (R)

Sponsored resolutions to invest in hiring, training and equipment, and mental health resources for law enforcement. Sponsored a bill to restrict federal grant eligibility for cities identified as “anarchist jurisdictions.” Supports the death penalty for those that commit child sex crimes. “Being tough on crime stops crime.”

James Talarico (D)

Supports increasing law enforcement funding. Supports funding police body cameras.  Sponsored a bill to ban the federal death penalty. Condemned extrajudicial killings of…citizens by law enforcement” in 2021. In 2020, supported bans on racial profiling and no-knock warrants.

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Economy

Cut or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?

Mike Collins (R)

Cut. “Would work to reduce government spending.” Voted for the Big Beautiful Bill; said bringing “federal agencies under control by deregulation” would “unleash the American entrepreneurial spirit. Voted to loosen regulation of the crypto industry.

James Talarico (D)

Increase. In 2021 voted for $1 trillion in infrastructure funding. Opposes canceling grants for underserved communities for access digital internet devices. “Launched an investigation into large, out-of-state corporations” buying homes in Georgia.

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Education

Use public funding for private and/or for-profit schools?

Mike Collins (R)

Yes. Supports expanding school choice. Would “ensure that our children aren’t trapped in failing public schools.” Voted for a bill with federal tax credits for private school scholarship donations.

James Talarico (D)

No. Voted against a bill that includes federal tax credits for donations to private school scholarships. Sponsored a 2021 bill to provide $500 million to upgrade public school facilities.

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Environment

Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?

Mike Collins (R)

Loosen. Introduced a bill to remove “the EPA’s authority to enforce Clean Air Act requirements on vehicle emission controls.” Introduced a resolution to overturn an EPA rule requiring power plants to follow “stringent wastewater standards.” Voted to repeal EPA restrictions on facilities producing hazardous air pollutants.

James Talarico (D)

Tighten. Voted against repealing EPA restrictions on facilities producing hazardous air pollutants. Asked the Department of Defense to explain a delay in PFAS cleaning at military bases. “Worked to protect…Okefenokee Swamp from dangerous strip mining” and advocated for its UNESCO World Heritage designation.

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Gun Laws

Loosen or tighten gun laws?

Mike Collins (R)

Loosen. Sponsored a bill to repeal a law that requires certain firearm registration. Sponsored a bill to ban “capacity-based restrictions on firearm magazines.” Opposes red flag laws. Says children should be taught how to use weapons.

James Talarico (D)

Tighten. Sponsored a bill to ban assault weapons. Sponsored a bill for “new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties.” “We have to reform our laws to keep weapons out of the hands of killers.”

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Health Care

Increase or decrease government support for health care?

Mike Collins (R)

Decrease. Voted to cut funding for Medicaid. Voted against extending Affordable Care Act premium subsidies for 3 years. Opposes “waste, fraud, and abuse” in Medicaid and Medicare. “We need an overhaul of the healthcare system that gives Americans more options.”

James Talarico (D)

Increase. Voted against cutting funding for Medicaid. Sponsored a bill to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits. “No one should go without care for lack of money.” Proposed an amendment to “prevent insurance companies from denying or delaying needed health care.”

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Immigration

How to handle immigration?

Mike Collins (R)

Introduced a bill to require DHS detention of any undocumented immigrant charged with theft. Voted to build 900 miles of border wall, limit asylum, and require employers use E-Verify for new employees. Introduced a bill to eliminate the diversity visa program. Voted to increase ICE funding by $75 billion, then for $70 billion more for DHS. “I fully support ICE.”

James Talarico (D)

Voted to require DHS detention of any undocumented immigrant charged with theft. Says people in the U.S. “without authorization who commit crimes…need to leave.” Voted against increasing ICE funding by $75 billion, then against $70 billion more for DHS. Voted to expedite asylum claims and increase DHS authority to process aliens. “Our immigration policy needs to be responsible and…humane.”

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Iran

Support the war in Iran?

Mike Collins (R)

Yes. “I fully support President Trump and what he is doing with Iran.” Voted against requiring Congressional authorization for U.S. military action in Iran in March, April, May, June, and July.

James Talarico (D)

No. “I oppose yet another regime change war-of-choice in the Middle East.” Voted to require Congressional authorization for U.S. military action in Iran in March, April, May, June, and July.

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Labor

Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?

Mike Collins (R)

Harder. Voted against reauthorizing federal workers’ collective bargaining rights. Sponsored a bill to allow employees at unionized workplaces to opt out of paying union dues.

James Talarico (D)

Easier. Sponsored bills to expand and protect employees’ organizing and collective bargaining rights. Sponsored a bill to accelerate bargaining contract negotiations.

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LGBTQ Rights

Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?

Mike Collins (R)

Limit. Sponsored a bill that would ban flying LGBTQ flags at “U.S. diplomatic and consular posts.” Voted to make providing gender-affirming care to minors a crime. Sponsored a bill to ban federally funding gender-affirming care to minors.

James Talarico (D)

Expand. Sponsored a bill banning discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Voted for federal recognition of same sex marriages. Voted against banning transgender students from women’s and girls’ school sports.

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Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum from $7.25 per hour?

Mike Collins (R)

No position found.

James Talarico (D)

Yes. In 2021, sponsored a bill to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 over a 5-year period. “Working families…deserve a livable wage.”

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Taxes

Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?

Mike Collins (R)

Lower. Voted to extend the 2017 Trump tax cuts, which included the largest one-time cut in the corporate tax rate. Sponsored a bill to repeal the federal estate tax.

James Talarico (D)

Raise. Voted against extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts. In 2021, voted to increase taxes on corporations and the wealthy to pay for family services, health, and environment programs.

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Voting Rules

Make voting harder or easier?

Mike Collins (R)

Harder. Sponsored a bill that requires proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. Sponsored a bill banning states from having universal vote-by-mail, banning ranked-choice voting, and limiting the ability to deliver someone else’s mail-in ballot. Voted to require voter ID to cast ballots.

James Talarico (D)

Easier. Opposes a bill that requires proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. Sponsored a bill to require certain states to get preapproval for changes in voting practices. Introduced a bill to allow U.S. citizens “to challenge in court any action taken by a state or local government that makes it harder to vote.”

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