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Georgia Republicans scramble to pick a candidate to take on Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff

Dooley is the first-time candidate Kemp recruited to compete for the Republican nomination.

Georgia Republicans scramble to pick a candidate to take on Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff
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MyNorthwest.comvia Associated Press
May 18, 2026
tl;dr

Georgia Republicans are weighing Mike Collins, Buddy Carter and Derek Dooley as their nominee to challenge Sen. Jon Ossoff. The primary could go to a June runoff, adding time and expense before the party turns to the general election.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Derek Dooley R · GA
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Dooley in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Dooley’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

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Republican Senate candidate

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Buddy Carter
R · GA-1

Republican Senate primary candidate and current Georgia representative

Carter's version of this story ↗
Mike Collins
R · GA-10

Republican Senate primary candidate and current Georgia representative

Collins's version of this story ↗
Bernie Moreno
R · OH · SEN

Ohio senator cited as an example of a Republican outsider who won office

Jon Ossoff
D · GA · SEN

Democratic senator and expected general-election opponent of the Republican nominee

Raphael G. Warnock
D · GA · SEN

Georgia senator mentioned as part of the state's recent Senate election history

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose support is sought by the Republican candidates

Tim Sheehy
R · MT · SEN

Montana senator cited as an example of a Republican outsider who won office

David McCormick
R · PA · SEN

Pennsylvania senator cited as an example of a Republican outsider who won office

ALSO MENTIONED  Brian Kemp, Georgia governor who recruited and supports Dooley; Gary Waldrep, Local party committee chairman who asked Collins about winning moderate voters

Part of a bigger story

14 OUTLETS
Republicans Compete for Georgia Senate Nomination to Challenge Jon Ossoff

Georgia Republicans are competing for their party’s Senate nomination to challenge Sen. Jon Ossoff, with Gov. Brian Kemp backing Derek Dooley. Center outlets mostly describe a crowded primary, with varying emphasis on candidates’ electability, Kemp’s influence, a possible runoff and the race’s broader Senate stakes.

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