GOP Senate Candidate Derek Dooley indicated to Access North Georgia on Saturday that he is "absolutely" open to an investigation amid claims of pay-to-play politics.
Those claims come as media reports indicate that school security firm CENTEGIX, founded by Derek's brother Daniel Dooley, received over $27-million in state contracts. Daniel in turn reportedly poured more than $100,000 into Governor Brian Kemp's Political Action Committee (PAC) Hardworking Americans. Kemp's PAC has also reportedly put money into Derek's campaign.
Photo taken by William Daughtry
At Cream and Shuga Coffee in Jefferson on Saturday, Derek indicated that 35 State Democratic lawmakers calling for an investigation is a means to get what he believes is an easier November candidate in GOP Primary opponent Mike Collins.
"Why are the Democrats coming full-throttle against me right now?" Dooley asked. "It's one reason, because they want Mike Collins to be the nominee so they can put a bib on and go attack him on his House Ethics investigation."
Photo taken by William Daughtry
Representative for Georgia's 10th Congressional District Collins was in Gainesville ahead of the June 16 runoff. There, Collins responded to the investigation Access North Georgia reported on back in January as well as a now-deleted insensitive social media post from his former Chief of Staff Brandon Phillips.
"We had a problem within our organization. I saw the problem, I do not agree with that in any way or condone it, and we fixed the problem. It's a business," Collins told Access North Georgia.
Photo taken by William Daughtry
Regarding CENTEGIX, Derek did add that he is "all for transparency."
"What they're not telling you is that there are absolutely zero state contracts between CENTEGIX and the state of Georgia, they're all done at the local school board level," Derek said.
Photo taken by William Daughtry
Derek made a campaign stop at Sweet Magnolias in Gainesville last month ahead of the primary election. Kemp attended both stops.
"I feel great, but I'll feel better when we get over the finish line. We've had an incredible amount of momentum, even since that event, a lot of momentum built up to the election ... we continue that momentum now," Derek told Access North Georgia on Saturday.
Photo taken by William Daughtry
Collins told Access North Georgia at Decoy that Derek would have a hard time differentiating himself from Incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff.
"I don't know how he's going to differentiate himself between him and Ossoff. They're basically the same," Collins said. "[Dooley] didn't vote for 20 years, so he didn't support President Trump in 2016 or 2020 when he needed him."
In response on Saturday, Derek indicated he had responded to the claims of supporting amnesty for undocumented immigrants numerous times.
"It's almost laughable that he makes that claim," Derek said. "I do not in any way support amnesty for people who came here illegally, and I was clear with Mike on the debate stage."
Derek added Collins is a "typical politician."
"That's a typical politician who would do anything and say anything to get elected, and so that's what I'm running against," Derek added.
Photo taken by William Daughtry
Kemp indicated during the event the importance of running up numbers for Derek in counties like Jackson, where they were at.
The event started at 12 p.m. and the coffee shop was bustling with supporters and voters simply wanting to learn more about the candidate.
Photo taken by William Daughtry
Early voting in the Republican Primary Runoff is Monday through Friday, and election day is June 16 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Derek's campaign website can be found here: https://www.dooleyforgeorgia.com/
Collins' campaign website can be found here: https://mikecollinsga.com/
The winner will face Ossoff on Nov. 3.
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