Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
16.4%
31.5%
17.6%
Republican
Derek Dooley
Republican
Derek Dooley
Georgia Republican Senate primary: 2nd place (1st round)
$21.6K
MAY 26, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFootball coach
PartyRepublican
Age57 years old (Jun 10, 1968)
GenderMale
LocationGeorgia
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BackgroundFootball coach
EducationUniversity of Virginia (attended; played football)
Notable personal detailsDerek Dooley is a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Georgia in the 2026 election cycle. He is a former college football coach, including serving as head coach at Louisiana Tech University and the University of Tennessee, and later worked in NFL and college assistant/analyst roles. He also has a legal background, including earning a law degree from the University of Georgia.
SourcesShowHide
fec.goven.wikipedia.orgapnews.comaxios.comgpb.orgelectionsga.comfactually.copredictionedge.comajc.comvote-usa.orgwashingtonpost.comlocal10.comdooleyforgeorgia.comgeorgiarecorder.comnews.yahoo.comwrdw.comgeorgiademocrat.orgsports.yahoo.comgeorgiatrend.commedia.ethics.ga.govamericanbridgepac.orgpod.wave.cotoxigon.combreakingnownews.comlincolnparishjournal.comabcnews.go.comcbsnews.comfoxnews.comstatic.foxnews.comcontext-cdn.washingtonpost.comsenate.govcongress.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgdocquery.fec.govgovinfo.govcha.house.govperiodicalpress.senate.govncsl.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
The candidate supports tax-cutting policies and has expressed support for the Trump administration's tax-and-spending law; his campaign emphasizes pro-growth, pro-business priorities. Specific proposals such as rate changes or new tax programs are not detailed on his campaign site.
Immigration & Border
Supports stronger border security and continuing President Trump’s efforts to secure the border, while acknowledging the role of immigrant labor for Georgia businesses. Positions emphasize enforcement and border control as a top priority rather than expanded asylum or broad regularization measures.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate says abortion policy should be decided by the states and expressed support for President Trump and the Supreme Court’s role on the issue. Public statements do not specify support for federal protections for abortion nor for particular state-level bans or gestational limits.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 3, 2026
Derek Dooley has advanced to a June 16 runoff in Georgia’s Republican U.S. Senate race against Rep. Mike Collins, with the winner set to face Sen. Jon Ossoff. Recent polling shows Dooley trailing Collins in the runoff, and the race has drawn attention from Georgia Republicans as they campaign hard ahead of early voting. Dooley has been holding events across the state, including stops in Augusta and a planned meet-and-greet in Savannah, with Gov. Brian Kemp appearing alongside him to boost his campaign.
fec.gov+37
Articles
SMSavannah Morning News2 days ago
Ossoff and Bottoms target GOP rivals in Georgia
Neutral
BNBreitbart News Network2 days ago
Mike Collins Leads Derek Dooley in Louisiana Runoff Race
Negative
WWTOP3 days ago
Jon Ossoff and Keisha Lance Bottoms show off head start in Georgia as Republicans battle in runoff
Neutral
TAThe Associated Press3 days ago
Georgia Democrats Ossoff and Bottoms tout unity as Republicans battle in runoff
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$3.9M
$2.9M
$1.9M
$968.6K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$3.9M
$1.7M
$2.2M
$136.7K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements