United States Senate — Republican Primary Runoff
CIVPAC endorses Derek Dooley in the Republican primary runoff for United States Senate from Georgia.
This is not an endorsement based on the view that Dooley is an ideal CIVPAC candidate. He is not. He is new to politics, has not yet developed the kind of public record that would allow a full assessment of his governing philosophy, and will have to prove himself in a general election if he becomes the Republican nominee.
But endorsements are often comparative judgments, and the comparison in this runoff is clear.
Representative Mike Collins represents a style of politics CIVPAC has consistently rejected. He is aligned with the most confrontational wing of the Republican Party, has embraced a performative approach to politics, and appears far more interested in ideological combat than in constructive governance. At a time when Congress needs members who can legislate seriously, defend democratic institutions, and govern beyond slogans, Collins is the wrong choice.
Dooley is a less certain candidate, but he is the more plausible choice for Republicans who want to move Georgia politics back toward a responsible center-right tradition. His support from Governor Brian Kemp’s political network matters. Kemp has not been a perfect model of centrism, but in Georgia Republican politics he has represented a more serious, institutionally responsible alternative to the most election-denying and performative elements of the Trump wing of the party.
CIVPAC does not endorse candidates merely because they are less extreme than their opponents. But in this runoff, Dooley offers the better possibility of a Republican nominee who might be capable of appealing beyond the hardest partisan base. Collins offers little reason to believe he would strengthen the governing center of the Senate.
CIVPAC therefore endorses Derek Dooley in the Republican primary runoff for United States Senate.
CIVPAC reserves judgment on the general election.
Governor — Republican Primary Runoff
CIVPAC makes no endorsement in the Republican primary runoff for Governor of Georgia.
In the Republican primary, CIVPAC supported Brad Raffensperger because he had demonstrated unusual institutional courage in defending the integrity of Georgia’s 2020 election. Raffensperger’s record was not perfect, and CIVPAC did not agree with him on every issue. But he met an important test at a critical moment. He placed the integrity of the election process above pressure from his own party’s president.
With Raffensperger eliminated from the runoff, the remaining Republican candidates do not present a clear CIVPAC choice.
Burt Jones is too closely associated with the Trump wing of the Republican Party and with efforts to undermine confidence in the 2020 election. That is a serious problem for CIVPAC. Respect for democratic institutions is not a secondary issue. It is one of the foundations of responsible government.
Rick Jackson may be less familiar to many voters, but CIVPAC does not see a sufficiently clear record of centrist temperament, institutional seriousness, or governing judgment to justify an endorsement. CIVPAC’s standard is not simply whether a candidate is less known, less controversial, or less aligned with a particular faction. The question is whether a candidate affirmatively meets CIVPAC’s criteria.
In this runoff, neither candidate does.
CIVPAC is willing to endorse Republicans, Democrats, or independents when they meet our standards. We are not obligated to endorse in every race. Sometimes the responsible position is to decline to choose between unsatisfactory alternatives.
We welcome your feedback on this endorsement. Please include the candidate or race you are commenting on. Send us your thoughts here.