Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
16.4%
31.5%
17.6%
Republican
Derek Dooley
Republican
Derek Dooley
Georgia Republican Senate nominee?
$1.1M
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 (undergraduate)
Notable personal detailsDerek Vincent Dooley is an American football coach and attorney who entered politics as a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Georgia in 2026. He previously served as head football coach at Louisiana Tech (2007–2009) and the University of Tennessee (2010–2012) and later held assistant coaching roles in college football and the NFL. He earned a J.D. from the University of Georgia and briefly practiced law in Atlanta before pursuing coaching.
SourcesShowHide
docquery.fec.goven.wikipedia.orgapnews.comaxios.comcommons.wikimedia.orgthedailybeast.comtheweek.comajc.comtheguardian.comabcnews.comgeorgiarecorder.cominvesting.comwashingtonpost.comfactually.cowtoc.combreitbart.comdooleyforgeorgia.comgpb.orgnews.yahoo.comwrdw.comgeorgiademocrat.orgsports.yahoo.comgeorgiatrend.commedia.ethics.ga.govamericanbridgepac.orgpod.wave.cotoxigon.combreakingnownews.comlincolnparishjournal.comfox5atlanta.com11alive.comthehill.comc-span.orgatlantanewsfirst.compolitico.comnbcnews.comthenationaldesk.comnytimes.comeciks.orgpbs.orgusatoday.comwashingtonexaminer.comamericanjournalnews.comnewsmax.comballotpedia.orgfec.govballotready.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.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 updatedMar 14, 2026
Derek Dooley is in the news as one of three Republicans competing for the party’s 2026 U.S. Senate nomination in Georgia to take on Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. Reports say Georgia Republicans are worried the crowded field could trigger a runoff, and the absence of an endorsement from Donald Trump is adding uncertainty. A new poll shows Ossoff leading Dooley and the other potential GOP challengers in hypothetical matchups, with many voters still undecided.
docquery.fec.gov+47
Articles
UNU.S. News & World Report5 months ago
As Texas Braces for Messy Senate Runoff, Georgia Republicans Fear Similar Fate Unless Trump Endorses
Neutral
NNewsweek5 months ago
Jon Ossoff's chances of losing to Republicans in Georgia Senate race-Poll
Neutral
FNFox News5 months ago
Club for Growth plans $175 million spending for GOP midterm elections
Neutral
WWTOP5 months ago
Georgia candidates jockey as sprint begins to primaries for US Senate, governor
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$4.7M
$3.5M
$2.4M
$1.2M
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$4.7M
$350.6K
$4.4M
$243.0K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements