35 Georgia Democrats Seek Probe Into Kemp, Dooley Contracts

More than 35 Georgia Democratic state lawmakers are demanding an independent investigation into alleged pay-to-play arrangements that connect Gov. Brian Kemp and U.S. Senate candidate Derek Dooley to nearly $77 million in no-bid school safety contracts awarded to Centegix. The company was founded by Daniel Dooley, Derek Dooley's brother. The push follows a June 5 virtual news conference by State Rep. David Sampson and other Albany leaders who want full transparency on how the deals were awarded and whether family donations influenced the outcome.

Contracts Awarded Without Competition

Centegix secured the contracts for school safety technology through state processes that skipped competitive bidding. Lawmakers point to the size of the awards and the family connection as evidence that political ties shaped the decisions. The deals cover equipment and services for Georgia schools, with the total value reaching nearly $77 million according to reporting on the matter.

State Rep. David Sampson and Albany officials highlighted the lack of open bidding as a core problem. They argue that standard procurement rules should have applied and that bypassing them raises concerns about favoritism. The contracts tie directly into broader state spending on school security upgrades.

Donations and Campaign Overlap

Lawmakers allege that Dooley family contributions exceeding $100,000 to Kemp's PAC were connected to the contract awards. They claim portions of those funds helped support Derek Dooley's Senate campaign. The timing of the donations and the contract decisions forms the basis for their call for outside review of the flow of money and influence.

The allegations surface as Derek Dooley campaigns for the Republican nomination in the 2026 U.S. Senate race. Democrats frame the episode as an example of how state contracting can intersect with political fundraising. They want an independent body to examine records and determine whether any laws or ethics rules were violated.

Kemp Rejects the Claims

Gov. Brian Kemp has called the allegations unfounded. His office has not released additional details on the contract process or the specific donations in question. The governor's response leaves the Democratic lawmakers to pursue legislative or other avenues to force an external review.

The dispute centers on accountability in state contracting and the role of family networks in Georgia politics. Lawmakers have not set a firm deadline for the investigation they seek, but they continue to press for action in the coming weeks.