Dooley Proposes Georgia First Contract

mrandolphadvance@gmail.com

U.S. Senate Candidate Derek Dooley stopped in Vidalia to speak with voters on Tuesday, March 17, and informed the community that if elected, he planned to make a contract with voters to ensure that the will of the people was being accurately represented in Washington D.C.

Dooley has been traveling the state alongside Governor Brian Kemp on the campaign trail, sharing his disdain for career politicians and support of term limits. “I’m not a part of the political battle – I’m new to politics,” he told the attendees.

He said that he was inspired to live a life of service, as his father – former University of Georgia Head Football Coach Vince Dooley – had done in various capacities for over 40 years. “I wanted to follow the legacy of service that my father had. So, I became a football coach and had a long career – a 28year career – where I wore a lot of hats,” he explained, as he recalled his time working in college football and the National Football League (NFL).

Dooley continued, “What keeps you going during all those years and what keeps your energy flowing is the impact you’re making on young people every day. There’s nothing more rewarding than sitting in homes and talking with people, and there is no race or income or religion or politics – none of that matters. They all have dreams. They all have struggles – I don’t care who you are or where you come from. As a coach, you’re able to use a sport as a vehicle to not just help them to be a better player, but better people, better husbands, better dads, [and] better citizens. It keeps you going – it keeps you motivated. “ Although he was successful and enjoyed his career in sports, Dooley became jarred by events occurring within the nation after the Covid-19 pandemic. “It really jarred me. I started seeing things in our country that I thought I’d never see in my lifetime. I felt like our country was getting driven off a cliff by the last administration,” he commented. “What was even more disappointing to me was when I would turn on the TV and watch what was going on in Washington, D.C. It had changed. It's changed over the last 15 years. We've got to be honest about it. Too many people out there now have become more consumed with getting reelected or being a celebrity on social media or being on Fox News than they are working together to solve problems for the people. That’s why I want to be a part of getting our country back.”

He stated that he believes everyone matters, regardless of race, religion, or political stance, and that the U.S. Senate needs leaders who can find common ground with all citizens. He also shared that he feels career politicians are not effectively representing the people. “There's 74 members of Congress right now who've been up there for 20 or more years worried about just accruing power. There's more corruption than ever any other time in my lifetime.”

Dooley told the audience that he believes this careerism leads politicians to abandon their responsibility to represent the beliefs and desires of the constituents. “All right? This is a contract that I've made with the people of Georgia. It's not like the one Newt Gingrich did. It's not a policy paper. It's nothing like that. What it is is a pledge. It's a pledge that's going to guide every decision I make and every vote I cast,” he explained.

This contract focuses around five key principles on which Dooley will base every decision he makes – “Georgia First. Always,” “I Will Limit My Own Service,” I Will Not Use Public Office to Get Rich,” “I Will Do The Job I Was Elected To Do,” and “I Will Be Accountable to All Georgians.” In these key principles, Dooley promises that his loyalty lies to Georgia alone, he will not serve more than two term limits, he will not trade individual stocks or digital assets while in office, he will not accept pay during a government shutdown, and he will hold at least ten town halls across the state during his first term to hear from constituents.

“This a pledge to the Georgia people that's going to guide every decision I make and every vote I cast. It essentially involves staying true to what I'm saying in my heart about how I'm up there for the right reasons – and that's to support the Georgian people. I always put them first. I want to get rid of this careerism and corruption and inaction that's going on in D.C., and I want to stay accountable,” he emphasized.

Further information about Dooley and a copy of the Georgia First Contract is available online at DooleyForGeorgia.com.

MEETING VIDALIANS – U.S. Senate Candidate Derek Dooley took time to meet Vidalia citizens on Tuesday, March 17, as his campaign trail stopped in Vidalia.