A Republican official says conservative Georgia Rep. Doug Collins is expected to challenge newly appointed Sen. Kelly Loeffler for her Senate seat this year.
That will prompt a battle within the GOP that could enhance Democrats' chances of capturing the seat this November.
Loeffler, 49, was appointed to the seat by Gov. Brian Kemp and took office this month. That filled a vacancy after Sen. Johnny Isakson retired for health reasons.
Collins, an outspoken ally of President Donald Trump, had hoped Kemp would appoint him to the seat and had Trump's backing.
