ATENES, Ga. (AP) — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp can best criticize Sen. John Ossoff’s record in support of Republican Derek Dooley in the 2026 US Senate race in Georgia on Saturday, claiming an outsider with no experience in Congress.
“I firmly believe that it takes political outsiders to do that. Not only are those who can focus on his record, but some have a vision for our nation in the future,” Kemp said. “That’s not a politician.”
Kemp’s Dooley choice There are almost no surprises – He told other Republican candidates He’ll support Dooley Before the former University of Tennessee soccer coach entered the race. But Kemp’s appearance with Dooley on Saturday before the University of Georgia football game in Athens and detailing his closest political aides to spend on Dooley’s behalf and run Dooley’s campaign highlights the investment of Georgia’s second term governor’s political novice.
Kemp agreed to support Dooley, 57, after making the decision Do not run towards the seat He himself. Georgia Republicans are aiming to defeat Ossoff, whom they believe they are seeking the most vulnerable democratic incumbent in the Senate next year. The GOP field also includes US personnel. Buddy Carter and Mike CollinsActivist Reaganbox.
Dooley has focused on attacking Republican unified tactics, Ossoff and supportive President Donald Trump. He claimed Saturday that Ossov’s history of support for former president and his opposition to Trump would disqualify him from another term.
“The surprising thing is that he wants to be our quarterback for the next six years,” Dooley said. “And when I come from where you come from, when you get that kind of outcome, your ass goes to the bench. So I look forward to rolling up my sleeves. I get support from people and Georgia every day and bring this Senate seat back to them.”
But Dooley has a small history in politics. He did not vote in the 2016 and 2020 elections where Trump was a candidate. Dooley, who was still coaching at the time, says he was too busy to be distracted and unable to vote. But Collins says he’ll fight back on Republicans who need to vote.
“If you are nominated to someone who didn’t vote for Donald Trump in 2016 or 2020, not registered as a Republican, and have not lived in Georgia for 25 years, the base will not appear. Statement posted online Friday opposes Kemp’s reasoning.
Collins said that supporting Trump’s agenda in Congress would not be “responsible” in the general election, and argued that his records show he’s getting things done.
Kemp and Trump met and said they were going to try. I agree with the priority candidate.
Kemp spoke to Trump on Saturday about Dooley’s support, saying that he “respects my decision.” But Trump is not ready to support him yet, and all candidates are competing for Trump’s nods.
“There is only one important support in Georgia, and we will be giving all the respect.
Devon Cruz, a spokesman for the Georgia Democratic Party, said Kemp is “inciting the already chaotic GOP US Senate primary flames.”
Dooley is the legendary son University of Georgia Coach Vince Dooley And before he got into coaching he was a lawyer. Derek Dooley compiled a 15-21 record with a Tennessee volunteer before being fired in 2012. He was then an assistant coach for the Dallas Cowboys, the University of Missouri, the New York Giants and the University of Alabama.
Kemp and Dooley spoke on Saturday at the tailgate party block, away from Sanford Stadium. There, the Georgia stadium was named after his father.
Dooley has not eschewed his football past. He said Saturday that “leadership is important” in both coaching and politics, and that coaching is “to bring people together, find a common foundation and bring hope and opportunity for them every day.”
However, other candidates claim Dooley has failed coaching and highlights his partnership with schools outside of Georgia. Collins posted his Georgia University Football schedule online on Friday, taking photos of Dooley for the September 13 game against Tennessee.
