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A new contender from the Republican party has entered one of the critical Senate races in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
Former football coach Derek Dooley, known for his outsider status, took a direct aim at Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia. He also emphasized his support for former President Donald Trump as he announced his candidacy on Monday.
“I’m entering the race because our state is in need of fresh leadership in Washington D.C., and career politicians like Jon Ossoff are part of the problem,” Dooley stated in a video accompanying his campaign launch.
Dooley argued that “Georgia lacks a representative in the U.S. Senate who truly embodies our values since Ossoff is more focused on his own political future, opposing the Trump administration, and consistently siding with the far left.”
The Senate race in Georgia holds great significance for Republicans looking to expand their current 53-47 Senate majority. They see Ossoff, who is seeking re-election in a battleground state narrowly won by Trump in the last presidential election, as the most vulnerable Democrat in the upcoming midterms.
Republicans consider Senator Jon Ossoff the most vulnerable Democrat seeking re-election in the 2026 midterms. (AP)
Dooley, son of the late University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley, has an extensive background as a college football player and coach. Although this is his first foray into politics, Republican sources have confirmed that he is expected to receive the endorsement of Governor Brian Kemp, the popular two-term conservative Republican governor of Georgia.
Dooley is now the third major Republican candidate in the Georgia Senate race. Two-term Representative Mike Collins, a businessman and Trump supporter, announced his candidacy last week. Additionally, Representative Buddy Carter, who has represented a district in coastal Georgia for ten years, launched his Senate campaign earlier this year.
Derek Dooley, a former college and professional football coach, officially declared his candidacy for the Republican Senate nomination in Georgia. (Derek Dooley campaign)
Dooley seemed to take a dig at his opponents, stating “I’m not a part of the political establishment, and I haven’t spent my life climbing the D.C. political ladder.”
He promised that if elected, he will prioritize putting Georgia first and bringing common sense to Washington D.C. He emphasized issues such as fairness in sports, tax relief for hardworking individuals, and national security.
Longtime friends with Governor Kemp, Dooley is receiving support from two of Kemp’s top political advisers in his Senate bid.
Sources in Trump’s political circle and Georgia Republicans have confirmed that there was an agreement between the president’s team and Kemp’s team to collaborate on finding a suitable candidate to challenge Ossoff in the Senate race.
It was revealed that Kemp and Trump had a meeting last month to discuss the Georgia Senate race. However, tensions arose when Kemp proposed Dooley as a candidate, causing displeasure among Trump’s advisers who were not yet prepared to move forward with any candidate.
Donald Trump shakes hands with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp during a visit to areas affected by Hurricane Helene on October 4, 2024, in Evans, Georgia. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Despite this, Kemp proceeded with Dooley’s candidacy, causing further tension with Trump’s team, who were already disappointed that Kemp had opted out of challenging Ossoff earlier in the year.
“We had an agreement to collaborate,” a source in Trump’s orbit stated. “Kemp acted independently, which has frustrated Trump’s team.”
However, a source close to the governor refuted these claims, stating that they were not instructed to withdraw Dooley’s candidacy. The source reiterated Kemp’s desire to work with the president and his team.
