Rep. Drew Ferguson Anderson (Drew) Drew FergusonThe Hill's Coronavirus Report: Fauci says focus should be on pausing reopenings rather than reverting to shutdowns; WHO director pleads for international unity in pandemic response Trump campaign launches new fundraising program with House Republicans Top Georgia Republican endorses Doug Collins Senate bid MORE (R-Ga.) on Monday announced his support for Rep. Doug Collins Douglas (Doug) Allen CollinsWin by QAnon believer creates new headaches for House GOP Andrew Clyde wins Georgia GOP runoff to replace Doug Collins New poll shows tight presidential race in Georgia MORE (R-Ga.) in his bid to unseat Sen. Kelly Loeffler Kelly LoefflerMcSally says current Senate should vote on Trump nominee Loeffler: Trump 'has every right' to fill Ginsburg vacancy before election McConnell says Trump nominee to replace Ginsburg will get Senate vote MORE (R-Ga.), providing Collins with a key endorsement in the heated battle over the seat formerly held by Sen. Johnny Isakson Johnny IsaksonLoeffler: Trump 'has every right' to fill Ginsburg vacancy before election Bottom line New poll shows tight presidential race in Georgia MORE (R-Ga.).

Ferguson, the House GOP’s chief deputy whip, is the first of the Georgia delegation to endorse Collins, lauding his work defending President Trump Donald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE during the impeachment proceedings while serving as the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee.

“When [Speaker] Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPelosi: Ginsburg successor must uphold commitment to 'equality, opportunity and justice for all' Bipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Pelosi orders Capitol flags at half-staff to honor Ginsburg MORE [D-Calif.], [Rep.] Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffTop Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence Overnight Defense: Top admiral says 'no condition' where US should conduct nuclear test 'at this time' | Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Overnight Defense: House to vote on military justice bill spurred by Vanessa Guillén death | Biden courts veterans after Trump's military controversies MORE [D-Calif.] and their crazy entourage went after the President, we didn’t have to wonder where Doug Collins stood. He was on the front lines as the President’s number one defender in the entire country,” he said in a statement.

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“He did the President and the country a great service and his arguments carried the day. We knew with absolute certainty where Doug stood from day one and we know with the same certainty where he will stand in the future. That certainty is critical in these challenging times,” he added.

Ferguson went on to call on his colleagues to rally behind one another, taking a thinly veiled swing at Loeffler, who recently came under fire for buying and selling large quantities of stock following a classified briefing. Loeffler adamantly denies any wrongdoing, asserting her investments are managed by outside investment advisers.

“Doug is a proven leader — a steady hand in tough times. He knows what it takes to lead. Right now, we have lives and businesses and an economy to save and we don’t need anything to take our focus off of that mission,” Ferguson continued in his statement.

“Georgia Republicans need to unify behind Doug and leave the distractions and uncertainty of other candidates in the rearview mirror. Doug Collins is my friend and he’s done a great job for Georgia in Congress. He will be an outstanding Senator and he has my full support in his campaign,” he added.

Collins announced his decision to challenge Loeffler — who was appointed by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) to fill Isakson’s seat after he stepped down at the end of last year due to a series of health issues — in January, sparking strong intraparty tensions.

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Both candidates have received high-profile endorsements, with Collins receiving support from House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), American Conservative Union Chairman Matt Schlapp, Fox News host Sean Hannity Sean Patrick Hannity Cruz: Trump should nominate a Supreme Court justice next week Ex-Pence aide: Trump spent 45 minutes of task force meeting 'going off on Tucker Carlson' instead of talking coronavirus Trump ABC town hall pulls in fewer viewers than 'America's Got Talent,' NBA, Fox News MORE and conservative radio host Mark Levin Mark Reed LevinBarr: The left 'believes in tearing down the system' Tennessee primary battle turns nasty for Republicans Hannity's first book in 10 years debuts at No. 1 on Amazon MORE.

Loeffler has received the backing of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE (R-Ky.), Sens. Marsha Blackburn Marsha BlackburnDemocrats smell blood with new DHS whistleblower complaint Hillicon Valley: Election officials prepare for new Russian interference battle | 'Markeyverse' of online fans helps take down a Kennedy | GOP senators unveil bill to update tech liability protections GOP senators unveil new bill to update tech liability protections MORE (R-Tenn.), Tom Cotton Tom Bryant CottonRenewed focus on Trump's Supreme Court list after Ginsburg's death Republicans call for DOJ to prosecute Netflix executives for releasing 'Cuties' Loeffler calls for hearing in wake of Netflix's 'Cuties' MORE (R-Ark.) and Deb Fischer Debra (Deb) Strobel FischerHillicon Valley: Election officials prepare for new Russian interference battle | 'Markeyverse' of online fans helps take down a Kennedy | GOP senators unveil bill to update tech liability protections Google, Apple, eBay to meet virtually with lawmakers for tech group's annual fly-in Congress botched the CFPB's leadership — here's how to fix it MORE (R-Neb.) and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, among others.

Collins thanked Ferguson for his endorsement, saying he’s “honored and humbled” to receive his support.

“It means more to me than I can express that Drew is standing by my side in this campaign. He is an indispensable leader in the fight for the President’s agenda, a tireless champion for his district and a very good friend,” he said in a statement.

“Drew’s rapid rise to a leadership position came due to his smarts, hard work and ability to serve as an honest broker between all the disparate views held in the House Chamber. I will lean on his wisdom during this campaign as I do in Washington,” he added.