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.