Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
16.4%
31.5%
17.6%
Republican
Derek Dooley
Republican
Derek Dooley
Georgia Republican Senate nominee?
$1.2M
JUN 17, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFootball coach
PartyRepublican
Age58 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.comtranscripts.cnn.comstatic.politico.comcdn.cnn.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 16, 2026
Derek Dooley is in the news because he is in the Georgia Republican Senate runoff against U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, with the winner set to face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November. The runoff is happening now, after neither candidate won outright in the primary. Recent reports say Collins has been leading in polls and got Donald Trump’s endorsement, putting Dooley in a tougher position heading into the vote.
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Articles
SMSavannah Morning News14 hours ago
Georgia voters head to polls for runoff elections. What to know
Neutral
NNewsweek1 day ago
Mike Collins’ Chances of Beating Derek Dooley After Trump Endorsement
Negative
ABAthens Banner-Herald4 days ago
Georgia Senate runoff for GOP nomination set for Tuesday. See polls
Negative
ABAthens Banner-Herald6 days ago
Athens GA early voting June 11-12 runoff locations hours
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Georgia Republican Senate primary: 2nd place (1st round)
Endorsers of Derek Dooley for Georgia Republican Senate primary: 2nd place (1st round)
Brian Kemp
Public figure
Brian Kemp endorsed Derek Dooley for the 2026 Georgia U.S. Senate race.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$4.2M
$3.1M
$2.1M
$1.0M
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$4.2M
$1.7M
$2.5M
$147.4K
Source: FEC