Republicans are bracing for a tough primary as they prepare to challenge Senator John Ossoff (D-Ga.) next year.
Former football coach Derek Dooley, along with Representatives Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) and Mike Collins (R-Ga.), are vying for the Republican nomination against Ossoff. Dooley is seen as a key candidate, especially favored by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (R), while the two lawmakers are looking to distinguish themselves from political outsiders.
Initial tensions reveal the challenges that lie ahead for the Republicans. They aim to sidestep the typical messy primaries where candidates often attack each other excessively, hoping to avoid significant rifts between Kemp and former President Trump.
“As Republican strategists, it’s concerning that we might be better at tearing each other down than winning in November,” remarked Heath Garrett, a longtime friend of Dooley. Garrett emphasized the need to mitigate any potential damage for a united front come election time.
Dooley’s entry into the race is notable especially given his family legacy; he is the son of Vince Dooley, a revered figure in Georgia football. While he may be best known for his coaching career at the University of Tennessee, he is now seen as an attractive candidate in this race, especially since Kemp declined to run himself despite calls from party members.
After launching his campaign, Dooley has reportedly visited 16 counties and received positive feedback from constituents.
Currently, Carter is in a stronger financial position, having loaned his campaign $2 million, while Collins, who has only been in the race for a few weeks, has less cash on hand. Still, there’s curiosity about how far Carter might go with his funding.
Carter’s campaign is closely aligning with Trump, claiming his support has been unwavering from the start.
“Georgians can differentiate between a true fighter for Trump and those who merely benefit from his candidacy,” a spokesperson stated.
Collins has also sought to associate himself with Trump, establishing himself as a serious contender by actively campaigning statewide and gaining traction even among Kemp’s allies. In fact, Collins has reached out across all 159 counties in Georgia, which a Republican strategist called “relatively unprecedented.”
The upcoming Marker Observer will highlight the IS Q3 Funding Report, indicating the seriousness of all three candidates’ efforts.
All three are competing for Trump’s endorsement. Sources say Carter has met with the White House, while Collins has discussed his campaign with Trump directly. Dooley also recently visited the White House.
Just hours before Dooley’s announcement, the race took a negative turn, with both Carter and Collins launching attacks on him.
During a conversation with a Henry County Republican, Carter made a veiled remark about Dooley, emphasizing the seriousness of the race while expressing pride in their fathers.
Collins’ campaign mocked Dooley’s comments about coaching, sharing a video of Dooley losing a game when he coached at Tennessee.
In his first interview since entering the race, Dooley reacted to the scrutiny, noting the harshness of the attacks he’s faced despite being new to politics.
Georgia Republicans have a history of contentious primaries, as seen in 2020 when Doug Collins unsuccessfully challenged Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), resulting in negative ads and backlash. Loeffler ultimately lost to then-Democratic candidate Raphael Warnock.
“There are a lot of anxious feelings stemming from previous races, especially concerning the dynamics between Trump and Kemp,” noted a GOP source, recognizing that some party members are divided on how to find a consensus candidate.
Kemp has demonstrated that he knows how to win statewide, but with his previous choice, Herschel Walker, not performing well, some Republicans feel hesitant about the next move.
Opinions vary on whether the White House should be involved in candidate selection.
“Most still hope to see some White House involvement by year’s end,” said one source, admitting that Ossoff is currently taking advantage, raising funds without significant opposition, which could pose a risk for the Republicans.
