Georgia’s nationally watched U.S. Senate race in the 2026 midterms has an unconventional candidate with a legendary name.

A longtime collegiate and NFL football coach, and the son of legendary University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley, Derek Dooley is challenging Georgia’s current U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat, for his seat in 2026. He’s joined in the race by Republican congressmen Mike Collins of Georgia’s 10th district and Buddy Carter of the state’s 1st district.

Dooley was endorsed Saturday by Gov. Brian Kemp before UGA’s college football season opener in Athens.

Also in this week’s episode:

On The Record is a weekly political show hosted by Atlanta News First anchor Rick Folbaum and Reardon. It airs every Sunday at 11 a.m. on Atlanta News First.

Derek Dooley is an unconventional candidate with a well-known name in Georgia.

A longtime collegiate and NFL football coach, and the son of legendary University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley, he’s hoping name recognition and a fresh take on Georgia’s political issues will get him elected to the U.S. Senate.

Dooley is challenging Georgia’s current U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat, for his seat in 2026. He’s joined in the race by Republican Congressmen Mike Collins of Georgia’s 10th district and Buddy Carter of the state’s 1st district.

Here is his full interview with Atlanta News First political reporter Doug Reardon, as Dooley goes On the Record.

 Geoff Duncan, Georgia’s former lieutenant governor, recently made headlines when he switched from a Republican to a Democrat — and now, he’s considering a run for the governor’s seat.

During this week’s episode of On The Record With Atlanta News First, Duncan spoke with Atlanta News First political reporter Doug Reardon about why he changed parties and what he wants to do next.

Also in this week’s episode:

Geoff Duncan, who recently made national headlines when he switched political parties, has confirmed he is considering making a Georgia gubernatorial run.

“We’re thinking about it,” Duncan said in an exclusive interview with On The Record With Atlanta News First, which airs Sunday, Aug. 24, at 11 a.m. “We haven’t made any firm decisions."

If Duncan does enter the race, he would join five other Democrats who are seeking their party’s gubernatorial nomination: former state Labor Commissioner and DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond; state Sen. Jason Esteves; state Rep. Derrick Jackson; former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms; and businessman/pastor Olu Brown.

All are minority candidates with strong ties to Atlanta.

Earlier this month, Duncan - who had already been expelled from the Georgia GOP - said he has officially joined the Democratic Party of Georgia.

Read the full story here.

 The last Democrat to hold a constitutional office in the state of Georgia was an inaugural guest in the debut episode of On The Record With Atlanta News First.

Michael Thurmond spoke with Atlanta News First political reporter Doug Reardon on whether Democrats can win support for their agenda in a state long dominated by Republicans and one that Donald Trump won handily in his historic 2024 presidential bid.

Also in this week’s premiere episode:

On The Record is a new, weekly political show hosted by Atlanta News First anchor Rick Folbaum and political reporter Doug Reardon. It airs every Sunday at 11 a.m. on Atlanta News First.

The program - which can also be seen on Atlanta News First’s website and all of its streaming and podcasting platforms - features extensive interviews with Atlanta’s and Georgia’s most influential political leaders, newsmakers and analysts.

The Republican-controlled Texas House of Representatives on Wednesday kicked off a heated debate over a new congressional map creating five new potential GOP seats that is expected to pass the chamber as part of a growing national redistricting battle.

On The Record covers the other states that may engage in redistricting battles ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, as well as a preview of Sunday's On The Record exclusive interview with former Georgia lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan.

The last Democrat to hold a constitutional office in the state of Georgia was an inaugural guest in the debut episode of On The Record With Atlanta News First.

Michael Thurmond spoke with Atlanta News First political reporter Doug Reardon on whether Democrats can win support for their agenda in a state long dominated by Republicans and one that Donald Trump won handily in his historic 2024 presidential bid.

On The Record is a new, weekly political show airing every Sunday at 11 a.m. on Atlanta News First.

The program - which can also be seen on Atlanta News First’s website and all of its streaming and podcasting platforms - features extensive interviews with Atlanta’s and Georgia’s most influential political leaders, newsmakers and analysts.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services is accusing the media of exploiting a recent shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for “political gain.”

Sarah Boim with Fired but Fighting, a group of dismissed CDC workers who are banding together to fight for public health, came on the podcast to talk about the shooting and all that has followed.

Atlanta News First and Decaturish take you through your latest DeKalb County news headlines and the stories people are talking about most!

Catch weekly episodes every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. EST on ANF+ and Decaturish.com.

More from Atlanta News First: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/

More from Decaturish: https://decaturish.com/ 

The Junior League of DeKalb County is leading the effort to create the county’s first women’s commission, a new project designed to advance fairness, amplify inclusion and improve the lives of women and girls across DeKalb.

Gabrielle Rogers came on the podcast to talk about the project. She said the Junior League of DeKalb County has existed for 90 years and is currently prioritizing education, economic empowerment, health and wellness and more as the commission is formed. 

Atlanta News First and Decaturish take you through your latest DeKalb County news headlines and the stories people are talking about most!

Catch weekly episodes every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. EST on ANF+ and Decaturish.com.

More from Atlanta News First: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/

More from Decaturish: https://decaturish.com/ 

On this week’s episode of Decatur Dish, we got a rundown of what’s going on in Tucker with nobody other than the town’s own mayor, Frank Auman. 

Auman joined the show to talk about the Tucker Town Green project, the city’s ongoing pickleball debacle, local business development and more. 

Atlanta News First and Decaturish take you through your latest DeKalb County news headlines and the stories people are talking about most!

Catch weekly episodes every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. EST on ANF+ and Decaturish.com.

More from Atlanta News First: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/

More from Decaturish: https://decaturish.com/