As Georgia’s political primary season heats up, U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter finds himself navigating a turbulent path in his quest for the U.S. Senate. Once considered a top contender to challenge Democrat Jon Ossoff in 2026, Carter’s campaign was dealt a major blow when Gov. Brian Kemp declined to endorse him — opting instead to support a political newcomer with deep family ties.
Last week, Kemp informed Carter and fellow Republican contender Insurance Commissioner John King that he would throw his support behind Derek Dooley — a former University of Tennessee football coach and son of Georgia coaching legend Vince Dooley. Kemp’s move reportedly stunned both men, especially Carter, who has served Coastal Georgia in Congress since 2015.
John King withdrew from the race within hours of the announcement, leaving Carter and lesser-known candidate Reagan Box, a horse trainer from North Georgia, as the only declared Republicans — at least for a moment.
Soon after, Rep. Mike Collins of Jackson jumped into the race, joining what is quickly becoming a crowded and competitive GOP primary. Dooley is expected to formally enter the contest soon.
Kemp’s Endorsement Sparks Frustration
Carter didn’t hide his frustration with the governor’s decision, reaffirming his commitment to stay in the race. “Politicians don’t elect our Senators — the people of Georgia do,” he stated in response.
But Carter’s campaign was already facing significant headwinds. Despite branding himself as a “MAGA warrior” and pouring millions into a media blitz aimed at boosting his visibility in Atlanta, Carter has yet to gain strong traction statewide.
His $4.1 million campaign war chest, which includes $2 million in personal funds, has not deterred rivals or generated enthusiasm among many GOP leaders or grassroots conservatives. His appeal to Trump supporters hasn’t yielded the kind of momentum his team had hoped for.
An internal poll released by his campaign showed Carter holding a modest lead over potential opponents, including Collins and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. However, other independent surveys paint a different picture — some placing Carter behind Raffensperger, Collins, and even former Senator Kelly Loeffler in matchups against Ossoff.
The Trump Factor
Carter has worked hard to position himself as an ally of former President Donald Trump. He has introduced legislation like the “Red, White and Blueland Act” to support Trump’s call for acquiring Greenland, pushed for an investigation into President Biden’s use of the autopen, and nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Still, these gestures have not been enough to secure Trump’s endorsement. Behind the scenes, conversations reportedly continued between Kemp and Trump about who might be the best GOP candidate to unseat Ossoff — a sign that neither leader viewed Carter as the most viable option.
Now that Kemp has chosen to support Dooley, political observers believe hopes for a unified Republican front — led jointly by Kemp and Trump — may be dashed.
A Fox News source close to Trump’s political orbit expressed frustration at Kemp’s independent move, accusing the governor of undermining efforts to collaborate.
Intra-Party Struggles and a Divided Field
Carter now faces competition not just from Dooley but from Collins, another strong Trump-aligned figure. While Dooley is expected to attract the support of moderates and Kemp loyalists, Carter and Collins will likely battle for the conservative base.
The GOP primary could quickly become a proxy war — pitting Trump’s MAGA wing against Kemp’s more centrist faction. This is exactly the kind of scenario many party leaders had hoped to avoid heading into a high-stakes election year.
Far-right activist Kylie Jane Kremer predicted chaos. “This will be an all-out bloodbath,” she wrote on social media, accusing Kemp of trying to sabotage Trump and position Dooley as a “RINO puppet” for his own future political ambitions.
A Path Back to the House?
If the Senate race becomes unwinnable, Carter still has a potential fallback. His current term in the U.S. House doesn’t end until January 2027, and if he drops out of the Senate contest before the March filing deadline, he could still run for reelection in Georgia’s 1st Congressional District — a seat he won in 2022 by 24 points.
The candidate qualifying period for the 2026 election begins on March 2, giving Carter several months to decide whether to continue battling for a Senate nomination — or seek another term in the House, where he remains a strong favorite.
