Rep. Doug Collins Douglas (Doug) Allen CollinsVulnerable GOP incumbents embrace filling Supreme Court seat this year Georgia GOP Senate candidates cite abortion in pushing Ginsburg replacement Win by QAnon believer creates new headaches for House GOP MORE (R-Ga.) fired back at the director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) for criticizing him over his newly launched Senate bid against GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler Kelly LoefflerMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally Vulnerable GOP incumbents embrace filling Supreme Court seat this year MORE (Ga.).

“Don't be ridiculous, this is FAKE NEWS coming from the head of a Washington-based group whose bylaws require him to support all incumbents, even unelected ones,” Collins tweeted Wednesday.

Don't be ridiculous, this is FAKE NEWS coming from the head of a Washington-based group whose bylaws require him to support all incumbents, even unelected ones. https://t.co/azpS3PzaCJ — Doug Collins (@CollinsforGA) January 29, 2020

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NRSC Executive Director Kevin McLaughlin slammed Collins after he announced his candidacy for the Senate seat on Wednesday. “The shortsightedness in this decision is stunning,” McLaughlin said, adding, “Doug Collins’ selfishness will hurt [Sen.] David Perdue, Kelly Loeffler, and President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE. Not to mention the people of Georgia who stand to bear the burden of it for years to come. All he has done is put two Senate seats, multiple House seats, and Georgia’s 16 electoral votes in play."

Collins, one of Trump’s closest House allies, sought an appointment to the seat vacated by Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson Johnny IsaksonGeorgia GOP Senate candidates cite abortion in pushing Ginsburg replacement Loeffler: Trump 'has every right' to fill Ginsburg vacancy before election Bottom line MORE (R-Ga.) in December, but Gov. Brian Kemp (R) instead appointed Loeffler.

The NRSC said it stands “firmly behind” Loeffler, a wealthy executive and GOP mega-donor.

Georgia will hold a special jungle primary election on Nov. 3. The two top performers, regardless of party, will face off in a run-off election. Collins and his allies, however, are pushing for a change to state election law to create a more traditional primary in May.

While Collins is facing pushback from the NRSC and the Senate Leadership Fund (SLF) super PAC, polling ahead of his announcement showed him with a slight advantage over Loeffler in the race.