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Former Football Coach Derek Dooley Enters Georgia Senate Race as Political Outsider
ATLANTA — Lots of candidates pitch themselves as political outsiders, but former football coach Derek Dooley takes that claim to a new level. The Republican Senate hopeful in Georgia not only lacks previous campaign experience but also admits he didn’t cast a ballot for nearly two decades.
Dooley, who is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, didn’t vote in either the 2016 election when Donald Trump first won the presidency or in 2020 when Trump lost to Joe Biden. Rather than viewing this as a liability, Dooley frames his voting gap as part of his appeal as a genuine outsider.
“If you’re not vigilant in exercising that right, things can go pretty sideways in our country,” Dooley told The Associated Press, suggesting his candidacy could inspire other non-voters to participate in the democratic process.
Dooley’s entry into the May 19 Republican primary pits him against established congressmen Mike Collins and Buddy Carter, both closely aligned with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement. While Dooley supports Trump and voted for him in 2024, his campaign has received a significant boost from Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, positioning him as an establishment-backed outsider in a race with major national implications.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. The primary winner will face Ossoff in a contest that could determine control of the Senate, where Republicans currently hold a razor-thin majority.
The son of legendary University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley, Derek worked as an attorney before transitioning to coaching. His coaching career included a head coaching stint at the University of Tennessee, though he was ultimately fired after posting a losing record. He continued as an assistant coach at other colleges and professional teams before stepping away after the 2023 season.
Dooley argues that his experience coaching diverse groups of athletes has prepared him to connect with Georgia’s varied electorate. “In my 30-plus years professional career, it’s never been about me in anything I was doing,” he said. “It’s about people.”
His political awakening reportedly came during Biden’s presidency, when he grew concerned about border enforcement, economic policies, and transgender athlete participation in sports—issues he now criticizes Ossoff for supporting.
Republican strategist Brian Robinson observed that Dooley’s political inexperience is evident: “You can tell this wasn’t a guy who spent his life in politics or around politics or consumed by politics.”
Governor Kemp’s endorsement brings significant political weight to Dooley’s campaign. At a recent Atlanta Young Republicans event, Kemp explained his support: “I was looking for a political outsider, and it just happened to be a guy that I’ve known for, you know, 50-plus years.”
However, the Kemp connection has drawn criticism from some Republican quarters. Courtlyn Cook, chair of the Glynn County Republicans in southeast Georgia, questioned Dooley’s outsider credentials: “Completely siloing yourself with the old, establishment governor is not a way to say you’re an outsider.” She noted that the well-documented tension between Kemp and Trump could affect voters’ perceptions, especially among the party’s base.
Democrats have also seized on the relationship, with Devon Cruz of the Democratic Party of Georgia describing Dooley as someone with “access to the Governor’s political machine.” Similarly, Buddy Carter’s campaign spokesperson Harley Adsit called Dooley the “ultimate insider.”
Among Republican voters, opinions vary on whether Dooley’s lack of political experience represents an asset or liability. Canton voter Venessa Artigas, 53, appreciates Dooley’s fresh perspective, saying, “I think we need to get career politicians out and get the voice of the people in.”
Conversely, University of West Georgia student Timothy Jackson, 19, prefers candidates with congressional experience like Collins and Carter. “Both of them have been in Congress and so they know what it takes,” Jackson said. “Dooley is going to be hard because he’s never been in that position before.”
On policy, Dooley has advocated for increased workforce training and reducing government regulations to lower home prices. He’s also blamed immigrants for housing shortages and praised the Trump administration’s Venezuela policy.
Republican consultant Jason Shepherd suggests Dooley’s blank slate could be advantageous: “Dooley doesn’t bring the baggage that other candidates could possibly bring and can speak not only to voters on the right and Republicans, but the voters in the center who will make the decision.”
As the primary approaches, the central question remains whether Dooley’s outsider status will resonate with Georgia voters seeking change or whether they’ll prefer the political experience of his opponents. As strategist Robinson put it: “I don’t think we know just yet if that outsider message is what people are looking for.”
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10 Comments
As someone who values civic engagement, I’m a bit puzzled by Dooley’s voting history. While I appreciate his desire to inspire non-voters, I wonder if he has a clear understanding of the issues facing his constituents. Curious to see how he addresses this in his campaign.
As an outsider candidate, Dooley will face an uphill battle convincing voters he’s the right person to represent them in Washington. I hope he puts forth a well-rounded policy platform that addresses the concerns of Georgians, including those in the state’s important mining and energy sectors.
Dooley’s background as a football coach is an interesting angle, but I’m more interested in his stance on key issues like the economy, energy policy, and foreign affairs. As a political outsider, he’ll need to demonstrate a strong grasp of these complex topics to convince voters.
With his background in football, Dooley may be able to appeal to a certain segment of Georgia voters. However, he’ll need to demonstrate a strong grasp of the complex policy issues facing the state, especially when it comes to critical industries like mining and energy.
Mining and energy are critical industries for Georgia’s economy. I’d be curious to hear Dooley’s views on supporting domestic resource development, promoting innovation in renewable energy, and ensuring a reliable and affordable energy supply for constituents.
Dooley’s decision not to vote for nearly two decades is certainly unorthodox. While I applaud his desire to inspire civic engagement, I wonder if he has a deep understanding of the issues that matter most to Georgia voters, especially when it comes to the state’s important mining and energy sectors.
Dooley’s entry into the Republican primary adds an interesting dynamic to the race. While his lack of political experience is unconventional, I’m curious to see if he can leverage his outsider status to connect with voters who are disillusioned with the current political landscape.
Interesting candidate – an outsider with no prior political experience. His stance on not voting for years is certainly unconventional. I’m curious to hear more about his policy platform and how he plans to engage with voters who may be skeptical of a non-voter running for office.
As a political outsider, Dooley will need to work hard to earn the trust of Georgia voters. I’d be interested to hear his specific plans for supporting the state’s vital mining and energy industries, as well as his broader economic and foreign policy vision.
With his lack of political experience, Dooley will face an uphill battle convincing voters he’s the right person to represent them in Washington. I hope he puts forth a substantive policy platform that addresses the real concerns of Georgians, not just his outsider status.