{"id":2466708,"date":"2025-07-25T12:45:01","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T16:45:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/john-king-exits-georgia-senate-race-as-kemp-leans-into-derek-dooley\/"},"modified":"2025-07-25T12:45:52","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T16:45:52","slug":"john-king-exits-georgia-senate-race-as-kemp-leans-into-derek-dooley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/john-king-exits-georgia-senate-race-as-kemp-leans-into-derek-dooley\/","title":{"rendered":"John King exits Georgia Senate race as Kemp leans into Derek Dooley"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjohn-king-exits-georgia-senate-race-as-kemp-leans-into-derek-dooley%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2466708&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King has suspended his campaign for the 2026 U.S. Senate race after Governor Brian Kemp indicated he would support former football coach Derek Dooley as the Republican candidate to challenge incumbent Senator Jon Ossoff. The GOP primary is becoming increasingly competitive,with potential contenders including Rep. Buddy Carter, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, and Rep. Mike Collins, the latter reportedly in discussions with former President Donald Trump, whose endorsement could lead to a primary showdown with Dooley. Though some Republican operatives view Dooley skeptically due to his past distance from Trump, his team dismisses such criticism as fear from establishment politicians. King cited limited fundraising success and Kemp&#8217;s backing of Dooley as key reasons for ending his campaign.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">John King exits Georgia Senate race as football coach Derek Dooley builds favor with Kemp<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2170083\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/georgia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Georgia<\/a> Insurance Commissioner <a href=\"https:\/\/oci.georgia.gov\/about-us\/john-f-king\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">John King<\/a> suspended his Senate campaign on Thursday as the state&rsquo;s Republican governor looks to another candidate to fulfill the GOP&rsquo;s hopes of ousting Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA).&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The race to secure the GOP&rsquo;s primary nomination ahead of the 2026 Senate election is shaping up to become a volatile free-for-all that could end up pitting a candidate preferred by Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) against a contender backed by President Donald Trump.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3482140\/trump-endorsement-mike-rogers-michigan-senate-nomination\/\">Trump&rsquo;s endorsement puts Mike Rogers on fast track to win Michigan Senate nomination<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3482110\/wisconsin-sara-rodriguez-2026-gubernatorial-bid\/\">Wisconsin Lt. Gov Sara Rodriguez launches 2026 gubernatorial bid after Tony Evers bows out<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/3477134\/trump-ai-art-affinity\/\">Trump&rsquo;s AI art affinity<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>King dropped his bid after Kemp told the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dominion-rep-who-scanned-ballots-in-georgia-county-where-thousands-of-trump-votes-were-uncounted-also-worked-for-kamala-harris\/\" title=\"Dominion ... Who Scanned Ballots in Georgia County Where Thousands of ... Votes Were Uncounted Also Worked for Kamala Harris\">commissioner<\/a> he plans to back former football coach Derek Dooley, a longtime friend, <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/BBLo6oyLmD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">according<\/a> to the <em>Atlanta Journal-Constitution<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Right now it&rsquo;s clear there&rsquo;s little path forward to the nomination,&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JohnKingGA\/status\/1948444685917127167\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">said<\/a> King, who struggled to gain traction in fundraising after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3408166\/georgia-insurance-commissioner-john-king-senate-ossoff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">launching his campaign<\/a> in May.<\/p>\n<p>While Kemp was once viewed as the leading candidate to topple Ossoff, he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3401293\/brian-kemp-bows-out-2026-georgia-senate-race-ossoff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">bowed out<\/a> of the race in early May, opening up the GOP field to other competitors.<\/p>\n<p>However, as other candidates, such as King and Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3405066\/buddy-carter-first-republican-challenge-ossoff-georgia-senate-race\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">have entered<\/a> the race, the governor appears to be running a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >pressure campaign designed<\/a> to pick the GOP&rsquo;s senate candidate, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pork-in-the-covid-package-can-the-gop-trim-the-fat\/\" title=\"Pork in the COVID Package: Can the GOP Trim the Fat?\">making phone calls<\/a> to both announced and rumored contenders, warning them he&rsquo;s putting his weight behind Dooley, according to the outlet. <\/p>\n<p>Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has also been rumored to be weighing a bid, and Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) has publicly mused about launching a campaign, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3466331\/mike-collins-georgia-senate-run-raffensperger-waits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">revealing earlier this month <\/a>that he is in talks with Trump on the matter.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Collins would likely clinch the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-taking-regeneron-drug-remdesivir-therapy-for-coronavirus-diagnosis-ex-wh-doctor-explains\/\" title=\"... ta... Regeneron drug, Remdesivir therapy for coronavirus diagnosis: ex...WH doctor explains\">president&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s endorsement if he chooses to enter the race, which could set him up for a primary showdown with Dooley.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The former football coach has been viewed by some veteran Republican operatives in the Peach State<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3462832\/former-tennessee-football-coach-derek-dooley\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> as a joke candidate<\/a> unable to win over the party&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gamestop-poaches-its-new-ceo-and-cfo-from-amazon-looking-to-compete-in-e-commerce-space\/\" title=\"...meStop Poaches Its New CEO And CFO From Amazon, Loo... To Compete In E...Commerce Space\">base due<\/a> to his past unwillingness to embrace Trump.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King makes a statement and answers questions from the media following a tour of Fieldale Farms while visiting Gainesville, Ga., May 15, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer\/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3479203\/derek-dooley-voting-record-possible-gop-senate-run\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">DEREK DOOLEY&rsquo;S VOTING HISTORY COULD COMPLICATE POSSIBLE GOP SENATE RUN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>While Dooley has yet to launch a Senate campaign, he has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3479203\/derek-dooley-voting-record-possible-gop-senate-run\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">fended off criticism <\/a>as &ldquo;fear and desperation coming from career politicians about an outsider who hasn&rsquo;t even announced.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;[That] should tell Georgia voters all they need to know,&rdquo; a Dooley spokesperson said earlier this month.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2170083\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2170083\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>John King ends Senate bid as Kemp backs Derek Dooley<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2466709,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/john-king.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[23131,58528,47333,59898,59899],"class_list":["post-2466708","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-brian-kemp","tag-derek-dooley","tag-georgia-senate-race","tag-john-king","tag-political-exit"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/john-king.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2466708","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2466708"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2466708\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2466712,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2466708\/revisions\/2466712"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2466709"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2466708"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2466708"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2466708"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}