Trump Team Clashes with Kemp Over Georgia Senate GOP Primary Pick

In a political showdown brewing in Georgia, tensions are rising between President Donald Trump’s team and Governor Brian Kemp over the upcoming Republican Senate primary. The race, pivotal for the GOP’s bid to expand their Senate majority, targets Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, considered the most vulnerable Democrat up for re-election in 2026. But the real drama lies in the fractured alliance at the heart of the Republican strategy.

Governor Kemp, a popular conservative figure, was initially seen as the ideal candidate to challenge Ossoff. Despite national GOP encouragement, Kemp opted out of the race earlier this year, leaving a void that has yet to be convincingly filled. Sources reveal a supposed agreement between Trump’s political operation and Kemp’s team to jointly select a unified candidate. However, that plan seems to have unraveled.

Two weeks ago, Trump and Kemp met to discuss the Senate race, but discord emerged when Kemp proposed former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley as a potential contender. Trump’s advisers, reportedly already frustrated by Kemp’s decision to sit out the race, were not ready to endorse anyone and allegedly asked Kemp to hold off. Ignoring this, Kemp pushed forward with Dooley, a move that has left Trump’s inner circle visibly irritated. A source close to Trump’s orbit didn’t mince words, stating that Kemp’s solo act has ‘frustrated and pissed off’ the president’s team, especially given their belief that Kemp himself was the strongest option for Georgia.

On the flip side, a source near Kemp disputes the claim of being told to stand down, insisting the governor remains committed to collaborating with Trump. Yet, Dooley’s potential candidacy—first floated two months ago—hasn’t exactly ignited enthusiasm among Georgia Republicans, with reactions described as ‘very negative.’ A decision on whether Dooley will officially run could come as early as next week.

Meanwhile, the field is getting crowded. Republican Representative Mike Collins, a staunch Trump ally, is set to announce his Senate bid next week. Collins, known for his early support of Trump and for championing the Laken Riley Act, signed into law during Trump’s second term, is positioning himself as an ‘America First fighter.’ Representative Buddy Carter, representing coastal Georgia, is also in the race, actively seeking Trump’s endorsement, while Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King recently bowed out.

The backdrop to this Republican infighting is the turbulent history between Trump and Kemp. From Trump’s support in Kemp’s 2018 gubernatorial run to bitter clashes over the 2020 election results, their relationship has been a rollercoaster. Last summer, Trump publicly lambasted Kemp at an Atlanta rally, only to pivot days later with praise. Kemp, for his part, brushed off the criticism as a ‘small distraction.’

As Georgia’s Senate primary shapes up to be a battleground within a battleground, the question remains: can the GOP unify behind a candidate strong enough to unseat Ossoff, or will internal divisions hand Democrats an unexpected advantage? Stay tuned as this political chess game unfolds.