Summary
- Gov.
Brian Kemp will promote Derek Dooley’s Senate bid Saturday. - Event
before University of Georgia vs. Marshall football game. - Dooley
is Republican candidate challenging Democrat Jon Ossoff. - Dooley
endorsed by Kemp, emphasizes the “Georgia First” and Trump
alliance.
After suggesting the idea in June, the football coach, who
is the son of the Bulldogs coach and athletic director Vince Dooley, officially
joined the GOP primary in early August.
The first prominent politician to enter the contest was U.S.
Representative Buddy Carter, a Republican from St. Simons, who was followed by
U.S. Representative Mike Collins, a Republican from Jackson.
Democrats have criticized both for voting in ways that
promote President Donald Trump and his followers.
There is no such record for political newcomer Dooley.
Democrats have thus been attacking his mainstream marketing, with Georgia
Democratic Party Chair Charlie Bailey calling him a former University of
Tennessee coach who “failed and was fired.”
Kemp will capitalize on Georgia football’s popularity to
support Dooley. Kemp is one of only a few politicians permitted
by a 2021 state law to run a “leadership committee” with limitless
fundraising potential.
The governor will support Dooley while tailgating before
Saturday’s game, according to a Kemp representative. For Dooley’s Senate
campaign, it will be their first time speaking in front of an audience
together.
How will Kemp’s public support change Dooley’s standing in
the GOP primary?
Kemp has urged GOP funders to support Dooley over other
contenders including Representatives Mike Collins and Buddy Carter, claiming
that Dooley has the best chance of defeating incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff
because of his outsider status and lack of a typical political background.
By indicating support from the party establishment, Kemp’s
endorsement helps unite Republican supporters and donors around Dooley, who is
less well-known than his rivals.
Kemp emphasized that Dooley can more successfully target
Ossoff’s record with his attacks and that sending a congressman with a voting
record could be a liability. Additionally advantageous to Dooley’s campaign are
connections to Kemp’s former political operations staff and aides.
