ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Gov. Brian Kemp chose an opportune and appropriate moment to officially make his endorsement in Georgia’s nationally watched 2026 U.S. Senate race.

On Saturday, while speaking with reporters ahead of the University of Georgia (UGA) football opener in Athens, Kemp endorsed Derek Dooley , his longtime friend and fellow UGA grad.

Dooley — a first-time candidate who has never run a political campaign — launched his Senate campaign earlier this month. He and two other Republicans, U.S. Reps. Buddy Carter and Mike Collins , are seeking the GOP nomination to face Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff in next year’s midterms.

Flipping Ossoff’s Senate seat is a priority for national GOP leaders, who unsuccessfully tried to entice Kemp to enter.

Dooley

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