Punchbowl: “…Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) is attacking former football coach Derek Dooley for relying on Georgia GOP Gov. Brian Kemp’s help on the trail.”
New reporting from Punchbowl News highlights how the “powder keg” GOP U.S. Senate primary in Georgia is becoming even more volatile as MAGA extremist Rep. Mike Collins launches a string of attacks on failed and fired former Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley for “relying” on Gov. Brian Kemp to hold his hand through a flailing Senate campaign.
Collins’ criticism of the blatant babysitting comes after Dooley recently wrapped up a string of campaign events that he heavilyfeatured Kemp to promote as he struggles to make inroads with Georgians.
Read for yourself:
Punchbowl News: Collins: Kemp holding Dooley’s hand on campaign trail
By Max Cohen | March 20, 2026
KEY EXCERPTS:
- […] Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) is attacking former football coach Derek Dooley for relying on Georgia GOP Gov. Brian Kemp’s help on the trail.
- “Listen, we’re 20 points in the lead, not because I got a governor running around, holding my hand,” Collins said in previously unreported comments at a March 14 candidate forum.
- In a March 17 campaign memo, Collins’ team said he’s winning despite “interference from an incumbent governor.”
- The RealClearPolitics polling average has Collins at 30%, well ahead of Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) at 17% and Dooley at 11%.
- “Derek Dooley has a history of destroying storied legacies. It’s just sad to see him adding a well-respected governor to his wake of desolation,” Collins spokesperson Corbin Keown said in a statement.
- Kemp just wrapped up a week-long campaign swing with Dooley. Kemp’s been ever-present by Dooley’s side on the trail all cycle.