Career Timeline of Doug Collins (politician): Major Achievements and Milestones

How Doug Collins (politician) built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Doug Collins is an American politician, lawyer, and military officer. He is currently the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Before that, he served as the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 9th congressional district from 2013 to 2021 and as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 2007 to 2013, representing the 27th district. A Republican, Collins has been a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve since 2002 and was promoted to colonel in 2023, adding to his profile of service in both the political and military spheres.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1994: Became Senior Pastor

In 1994, Collins became a senior pastor at Chicopee Baptist Church while co-owning a retail scrapbooking store with his wife, Lisa.

2002: Joined U.S. Air Force Reserve

In 2002, Collins joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a chaplain.

2005: Stopped being Senior Pastor

In 2005, Collins ended his time as a senior pastor at Chicopee Baptist Church while co-owning a retail scrapbooking store with his wife, Lisa.

2007: Elected to Georgia House of Representatives

In 2007, Collins was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives for the 27th district after Stacey Reece vacated the seat. He won both the primary and general elections unopposed.

2008: Re-elected to Georgia House of Representatives

In 2008, Collins was re-elected unopposed to the Georgia House of Representatives.

2008: Deployed to Balad Air Base

In 2008, as a member of the 94th Airlift Wing, Collins was deployed to Balad Air Base for five months during the Iraq War.

2010: Became Managing Partner

In 2010, Collins became a managing partner at the Collins and Csider law firm.

2010: Re-elected to Georgia House of Representatives

In 2010, Collins was re-elected unopposed to the Georgia House of Representatives.

2011: Sponsored HOPE Scholarship Reform

In 2011, Collins sponsored a plan proposed by Georgia governor Nathan Deal to reform Georgia's HOPE Scholarship program, cutting scholarships by 10% and raising eligibility requirements.

2011: Administrative Floor Leader

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Collins was one of three administrative floor leaders for Georgia governor Nathan Deal.

August 21, 2012: Defeated Zoller in Runoff

On August 21, 2012, Collins defeated Martha Zoller in the Republican primary runoff election with 55 percent of the vote.

2012: Ran for Congress in Georgia's 9th District

In 2012, Collins ran for Congress in the redrawn 9th congressional district after the incumbent, Tom Graves, ran in the 14th district. Collins faced Martha Zoller and Roger Fitzpatrick in the Republican primary.

2012: Signed Americans for Prosperity Pledge

In 2012, Collins signed a pledge sponsored by Americans for Prosperity promising to vote against any global warming-related legislation that would raise taxes.

2012: Supported Charter School Amendment

In 2012, Collins supported amending Georgia's constitution to establish a statewide commission authorizing and expanding charter schools.

2012: Administrative Floor Leader

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Collins was one of three administrative floor leaders for Georgia governor Nathan Deal.

2013: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives

In 2013, Collins became the U.S. representative for Georgia's 9th congressional district.

2013: End of Term in Georgia House

In 2013, Collins's service in the Georgia House of Representatives representing the 27th district concluded.

2016: Ran unopposed in election

In the 2016 election, Collins ran unopposed.

2017: Supported Trump's Executive Order

In 2017, Collins supported President Donald Trump's executive order to impose a temporary ban on entry to the U.S. for citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, stating it allowed for a review of refugee policy.

2018: Defeated Josh McCall

In 2018, Collins defeated Democratic challenger Josh McCall with 79.6% of the vote.

January 2020: Announced Senate Candidacy

In January 2020, Collins announced his candidacy for the United States Senate to complete the term of retiring Senator Johnny Isakson.

January 29, 2020: Announced Senate Run

On January 29, 2020, Collins announced his candidacy for Georgia's Class III U.S. Senate seat in the November 2020 special election.

November 2020: Lost Senate Election

In November 2020, Collins finished third in the nonpartisan blanket primary for Georgia's U.S. Senate seat, failing to advance to the runoff election.

April 2021: Declined to Run for Governor or Senate

In April 2021, Collins announced that he would not be running in Georgia's 2022 gubernatorial or concurrent Senate election.

2021: Left U.S. House of Representatives

In 2021, Collins's term as the U.S. representative for Georgia's 9th congressional district ended.

2023: Promoted to Colonel

In 2023, Collins was promoted to colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

November 14, 2024: Nominated for Secretary of Veterans Affairs

On November 14, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Collins as the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

January 21, 2025: Appeared Before Committee

On January 21, 2025, Collins appeared before the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

January 23, 2025: Nomination Advanced

On January 23, 2025, the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs advanced Collins' nomination with an 18–1 vote.

February 4, 2025: Confirmed as Secretary of Veterans Affairs

On February 4, 2025, Collins was confirmed by the United States Senate as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs by a vote of 77–23.

February 5, 2025: Sworn in as Secretary of Veterans Affairs

On February 5, 2025, Collins was sworn into office as the 12th Secretary of Veterans Affairs by U.S. Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas.

February 2025: Became Secretary of Veterans Affairs

In February 2025, Collins became the 12th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

March 4, 2025: Designated Survivor

On March 4, 2025, Collins served as the "designated survivor" during President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress.

March 5, 2025: Announced Department Layoffs

On March 5, 2025, Collins announced that 72,000 jobs (15% of department employees nationwide) would be terminated from the Department of Veterans Affairs, but stated that healthcare and other critical workers would not be affected.