Dooley says Republicans need a political outsider for November
Gov. Brian Kemp said Derek Dooley is the political outsider he believes gives Republicans the best chance to beat Jon Ossoff.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp stood with Republican U.S. Senate candidate Derek Dooley on Monday as Dooley made the case that Republicans need a political outsider to take on Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff.
Dooley and Kemp contrasted Dooley with Mike Collins and Ossoff, arguing Dooley is better positioned to keep the race focused on issues important to Georgia voters.
Kemp points to electability
Kemp said he and First Lady Marty Kemp have traveled with Dooley’s campaign to 77 counties and attended more than 90 events.
He said his involvement comes down to one goal: winning back Georgia’s U.S. Senate seat.
Kemp said he is supporting Dooley because of their long family connection and because he believes Dooley is the kind of political outsider Republicans need in the race.
“If you just take personalities out of the equation for this runoff election, and you look at where Republicans have been successful beating Democratic incumbents around the country, it has been political outsiders that have had the most success doing that,” Kemp said.
Kemp said Dooley gives Republicans the best chance to challenge Ossoff in November.
“We need somebody who can stay on offense against John Ossoff’s record in November,” Kemp said. “That is the second reason that I’m supporting Derek Dooley, because he is a political outsider.”
Dooley says Republicans need a different kind of candidate
Dooley said the race comes down to which Republican is best positioned to defeat Ossoff.
“This election really comes down to two things,” Dooley said. “The first is we have got to get the best candidate to beat John Ossoff.”
Dooley said Republicans have not won a Senate race in Georgia in 10 years and need to learn from that.
He said many voters he has spoken with do not know enough about Ossoff’s record, and he argued Republicans need a nominee who can focus the race on that record.
“We have got to stay on offense on his record to educate the Georgia people on what he stands for,” Dooley said.
Dooley pointed to inflation, border issues and other topics he said Republicans should raise with voters.
“There’s a laundry list of things that we’ve got to educate the Georgia people on,” Dooley said. “And I’m here to tell you, it’s not going to be done by a typical D.C. politician.”
He also criticized Collins, saying a typical D.C. politician would be “on his heels on defense” over issues including a House ethics investigation.
Dooley responds to Trump endorsement of Collins
Dooley was also asked about President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Collins.
“My position has not changed since the day I got into this race,” Dooley said. “And I said I’d be honored to have everybody’s endorsement. But the most important endorsement I’ve been working toward every single day is that of the people of Georgia, because that’s what matters most.”
Kemp said he told Trump why he believed Dooley was the best choice in the race.
“I was very clear with the president of why I thought we needed a political outsider in this race,” Kemp said. “And the best political outsider was Derrick Dooley to beat Jon Ossoff.”
Kemp said Trump disagreed, and voters will make the decision.
“The real endorsement is tomorrow,” Kemp said. “It’s with the people of this state.”
Dooley says voters are frustrated with Congress
Dooley said his time on the campaign trail has shaped how he sees the race.
“What I’ve learned more than anything is more about the people of this great state, and it has been really inspirational to me,” Dooley said.
He said voters are frustrated with Congress and want a change in leadership and approach.
“Their number one concern around the state is the frustration of an inept Congress that is not working for the people,” Dooley said.
Dooley asked supporters to turn out for the runoff, saying Republicans need to choose the right candidate for November.
