Former Coach Derek Dooley Launches Georgia Senate Bid Against Ossoff

Derek Dooley, a former college football coach and son of Georgia football legend Vince Dooley, has officially entered the 2026 U.S. Senate race in Georgia, challenging incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff. Dooley emphasizes his outsider status and strong support for President Donald Trump, pledging to work with the Trump administration to advance its agenda and criticizing Ossoff for opposing it and aligning with the political left. He is reportedly backed by Governor Brian Kemp, a longtime family friend who declined to run for the Senate seat himself. The race is a key battleground as Republicans aim to expand their narrow Senate majority, with Ossoff seen as vulnerable due to Georgia's competitive political landscape. Dooley faces a crowded Republican primary including U.S. Representatives Mike Collins and Buddy Carter, who also seek to capture the MAGA wing of the party. Critics have questioned Dooley's political experience and past voting record, but his campaign seeks to bridge the gap between Kemp supporters and Trump loyalists in Georgia's GOP.