Dooley, Gaines could make big political announcements today

Sources tell James Magazine Online that former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley is poised to announce his candidacy for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate as early as today. And State Representative Houston Gaines, R-Athens, is expected to announce his run for the Republican nomination for the 10th U.S. Congressional seat – after Rep. Mike Collins jumped in the U.S. Senate race Monday.

Dooley’s announcement has been expected on the heels of an apparent endorsement by Gov. Brian Kemp, a longtime family friend of the Dooleys. He has no political experience, but has apparently hired two longtime advisors to Kemp, Cody Hall and Chelsey Ruppersburg, in his bid to unseat Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff.