As Texas braces for messy Senate runoff, Georgia Republicans fear similar fate unless Trump endorses

a collage of three pictures shows buddy carter, mike collins and derek dooley
(l-r) U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins and former football coach Derek Dooley. All are running for the Republican nomination to face U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff this year. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Republicans are getting antsy. As U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff dominates the nation in fundraising and makes his case to voters, three Republicans who want his spot are still competing among themselves for their party’s nomination.

This week’s election frenzy in Texas didn’t help. After President Donald Trump declined to help clear the field with an endorsement, Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton are primed for a bitter and expensive runoff that could sap resources needed in more competitive states.

Trump has since promised to choose between the two of them, but he hasn’t said when he’ll make an announcement or whom he’ll support. And there’s no sign that the president is ready to get involved in Georgia’s primary on May 19, meaning Republicans there could be on course for a similar predicament.