Derek Dooley Enters Georgia Senate Race: “Georgia Needs Common Sense in D.C.”
The 2026 midterm elections may be over a year away, but the race for U.S. Senate in Georgia is already heating up. Former college football coach Derek Dooley officially launched his campaign Monday, entering a competitive Republican primary and setting his sights on unseating Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff.
In a campaign announcement video and written statement, Dooley emphasized his outsider status and made it clear that he intends to be a reliable ally to President Donald Trump in Washington.
“I’m running because our state needs new leadership in Washington D.C., and professional politicians like Jon Ossoff are the problem,” Dooley said.
Dooley also accused Ossoff of prioritizing political self-preservation over the interests of Georgia voters, adding that the Democratic senator “repeatedly votes with the extreme left” and stands in opposition to conservative policies that many Georgians support.
An Outsider with Deep Georgia Roots
Derek Dooley isn’t your typical candidate. The son of legendary University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley, he spent years coaching college and professional football, including stints at Louisiana Tech, the University of Tennessee, and in the NFL.
This marks his first foray into electoral politics, but Dooley is wasting no time establishing himself as a strong contender. His campaign pitch is clear: he’s not part of the political establishment, and he believes that’s exactly what Georgia needs.
“I’m not part of the political establishment, and I haven’t spent my life climbing the D.C. political ladder,” Dooley said. “I’m running to put Georgia First and bring common sense to D.C.”
He also didn’t shy away from the cultural issues shaping today’s political debates. Dooley pointed to concerns over biological men competing in women’s sports, rising taxes, and open-border policies as areas where he believes Georgia voters are looking for leadership rooted in common sense and traditional values.
GOP Primary Field Expands in High-Stakes Senate Race
With control of the Senate potentially on the line, Georgia is once again positioned as a major battleground. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority, and many in the GOP see Ossoff as one of the most vulnerable Democrats facing re-election.
Dooley is the third high-profile Republican to enter the race. He joins Rep. Mike Collins, a trucking executive and two-term congressman from central Georgia, and Rep. Buddy Carter, a longtime coastal Georgia representative with a decade of experience in Washington.
Each candidate has expressed strong support for former President Trump, though tensions are already starting to surface within the GOP ranks. The Collins campaign released a video Monday questioning Dooley’s loyalty to the former president, suggesting early friction in what may become a contentious primary.
Still, Dooley’s connections in Georgia run deep. Republican insiders confirm that he’s expected to receive the endorsement of two-term Governor Brian Kemp, a popular figure among state conservatives. Kemp has declined to run for Senate himself, but he’s expected to play a significant role in shaping the Republican field.
Kemp-Trump Alliance Faces Early Test
While both Kemp and Trump remain influential forces within the Republican Party, coordination between their political operations hasn’t been without hiccups. Sources familiar with internal discussions revealed that Kemp and Trump had initially agreed to work together to support a unified candidate against Ossoff.
When Kemp floated Dooley’s name as a possible consensus pick, there was reported hesitation from Trump’s team. Some insiders close to the former president suggested they wanted more time to vet potential candidates. That pause reportedly frustrated Kemp’s camp, which proceeded with supporting Dooley.
A senior GOP source acknowledged the friction. “We had a deal to work together,” the source said. “Kemp went out on his own – and that didn’t sit well with Trump’s orbit.”
Still, allies close to Governor Kemp insist that the rift is overstated. One source stated, “It’s not true we were told to stand down. The governor continues to want to work with the president and his team to make sure Georgia has strong leadership.”
This early tension could fade if both camps ultimately rally behind Dooley. His personal friendship with Kemp and support for Trump-aligned policies may help him bridge the divide.
Democrats Prepare for Tough Battle
Meanwhile, Democrats are keeping a close eye on the evolving Republican primary. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee dismissed Dooley as a “failed football coach” and accused him of backing policies that would harm Georgia’s working families.
“As this primary gets even more crowded and devolves into a proxy war between President Trump and Governor Kemp, Senator Ossoff is fighting for working families in Georgia,” said DSCC spokesperson Maeve Coyle.
Senator Ossoff, who was elected in 2021 during Georgia’s dramatic Senate runoff elections, has kept a relatively low national profile but continues to build a questionable fundraising war chest ahead of what’s expected to be a tightly contested race.
The Road Ahead
With a competitive primary underway and high national stakes, Georgia’s Senate race is shaping up to be a defining contest of the 2026 midterms. For Derek Dooley, the challenge will be to consolidate Republican support, present himself as a viable alternative to Senator Ossoff, and navigate the political currents between the Kemp and Trump factions within the GOP.
What’s clear is that Georgia voters will once again play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of the country, and candidates like Dooley are stepping into the arena with a message that aims to resonate with common-sense conservatives who want Washington to listen more and talk less.
