ATHENS — Standing beside his hand-picked candidate for U.S. Senate, Gov. Brian Kemp on Saturday formally endorsed former football coach Derek Dooley’s campaign , surrounded by red-and-black clad fans just steps from the stadium where Dooley’s father became a Georgia legend.

For the first time in public, Kemp explained why he recruited the political newcomer over more seasoned rivals to take on Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff . He said Dooley was the only Republican who can keep the spotlight on Ossoff’s “terrible record” of backing President Joe Biden.

“We need a candidate that can stay focused on that record,” he said, “and not have to worry about defending their own.”

Kemp added: “Long before I ever knew Derek might be interested in something like this, that I thought this race was r

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