Derek Dooley, the Republican Senate candidate heading to a runoff in Georgia, carries the backing of outgoing Governor Brian Kemp, a figure whose relationship with President Trump has been fraught with tension.
The endorsement reflects a sharp divide within Georgia's Republican establishment. While Kemp has thrown his support behind Dooley, Trump has taken the opposite side, lending his considerable influence to Dooley's runoff opponent instead.
The rift between Kemp and Trump has simmered for years, stemming from disputes over the 2020 election and other key issues. That animosity now plays out directly in this Senate race, with the two former allies backing competing candidates for the seat.
For Dooley, Kemp's endorsement signals backing from the state's outgoing executive just as he enters the critical runoff phase. The move underscores the fissures running through the Georgia Republican Party at a moment when the party typically seeks unity heading into a decisive electoral contest.
The runoff shapes up as a test of whether Trump's endorsement power can override an establishment governor's influence in a statewide race. Georgia's Republican primary voters will ultimately decide which faction of the party holds greater sway heading into the general election cycle.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "This runoff has all the makings of a proxy war between Trump and a sitting GOP governor, and Georgia voters are about to decide who really runs the party."
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