Former Coach Derek Dooley Enters Georgia Senate Race

Derek Dooley, former University of Tennessee football coach and son of Georgia coaching legend Vince Dooley, has officially entered the crowded Republican primary to challenge incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in Georgia for the 2026 Senate race. Dooley positions himself as a political outsider and ally of President Trump, criticizing Ossoff for opposing the Trump administration's agenda and promising to put Georgia first by focusing on issues like border security, tax reduction, and job creation. He is believed to have the backing of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who declined to run himself and whose advisors Dooley has hired. The race is viewed as one of the most competitive and consequential in the 2026 midterms, with Ossoff seen as vulnerable despite his strong fundraising and possible backlash against Trump. Republican Representatives Mike Collins and Buddy Carter are also running, signaling a contested primary. Democratic operatives highlight Dooley's perceived weaknesses and the ongoing internal divisions among Georgia Republicans, which may benefit Ossoff in the general election.