Georgia Senate race tests Gov. Brian Kemp’s sway in the Republican Party

2026 ElectionGeorgia Senate race tests Gov. Brian Kemp’s sway in the Republican PartyKemp decided not to run for Senate, instead backing former college football coach Derek Dooley in the GOP primary, which also features Reps. Mike Collins and Buddy Carter.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Gov. Brian Kemp delivers the State of the State address in Atlanta on Jan. 15.Brynn Anderson / AP fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 15, 2026, 12:43 PM EDTBy Bridget Bowman and Brennan LeachWith his time in the governor’s office coming to an end, Brian Kemp has asked Georgia voters for “one last thing.”Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.“Send Derek Dooley to the U.S. Senate,” the two-term Republican implored viewers in a new TV ad from his PAC that hit the airwaves this week, yet another sign that Kemp is putting all of his chips behind his preferred candidate ahead of Tuesday’s GOP Senate primary.The question for Kemp is whether Dooley, a former college football coach and political novice, is a risky bet — or one that emphasizes his sway in one of the nation’s most tightly divided swing states, and perhaps beyond.“If Dooley’s able to pull it off, it shows that Kemp is ready to put his own imprint on not just the Georgia Republican Party, but the national Republican Party,” said Jay Morgan, a former Georgia GOP executive director.Morgan said he has “never seen a governor put so much of his personal capital on the line” in his 30 years of working in Georgia politics. But in doing so, Kemp is exposing himself to criticism and second-guessing as the GOP tries to break a Senate losing streak in a state it dominated for years.“This one, the governor completely owns it,” Morgan said.Dooley has been battling with GOP Reps. Mike Collins and Buddy Carter in the primary to take on Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, and none of the Republicans is expected to win a majority of the primary vote Tuesday. That would push...