¶ Overview
Derek Dooley expressed confidence in Trump’s ability to handle Iran without dragging us into a larger conflict. While he did clarify that he opposed a prolonged conflict, Dooley has not said anything to indicate that he has rescinded his support of military action in Iran.
Trump's war of choice with Iran drove up Georgians' gas prices and squeezed Georgia farmers. Fertilizer costs soared and Georgians braced for higher utility bills as the war prolonged.
¶ Dooley Supported The War In Iran Regardless Of Increased Costs
¶ Dooley Supported The War With Iran
Dooley Recalled The Ayatollah’s Rise To Power And Overviewed “Their Goal Of Destroying Western Values”; He Was “Praying For Strength And Wisdom For Our Leaders, Protection For The U.S. Forces Involved, And A Better Future For The Iranian People.” Derek Dooley tweeted, “I’ll never forget being 10 years old and watching the Islamic regime storm our embassy, burn our flag, and chant ‘Death to America.’ Forty-seven years later, they are still funding terror around the world, oppressing their own people, and pursuing their goal of destroying Western values. Praying for strength and wisdom for our leaders, protection for the U.S. forces involved, and a better future for the Iranian people.” [Twitter, @DerekDooleyGA, 2/28/26]
Dooley Was Confident In Trump’s Ability To Handle Iran Without Dragging The United States Into A Protracted War. According to the Georgia Recorder, “Speaking to reporters after qualifying on Tuesday, Dooley sought to contrast himself as a political outsider. [...] Dooley also expressed confidence in the Trump administration’s ability to deal with the war in Iran without getting the nation bogged down in a protracted war.” [Georgia Recorder, 3/3/26]
[VIDEO] Dooley Underscored That “We Also Gotta See How Things Develop, Because We Certainly Don’t Want To Be Entangled Up In One Of These Forever Wars, Because I Don’t Like That At All.” “But we also gotta see how things develop, because we certainly don’t want to be entangled up in one of these forever wars, because I don’t like that at all.” [WJBF: The Means Report, 3/16/26]
¶ Gas Prices In Georgia Rose Due To The War
¶ The War Squeezed Georgia Farmers Who Faced Increased Losses From Higher Fuel And Fertilizer Prices
The War Squeezed Georgia Farmers Who Faced Increased Losses From Higher Fuel And Fertilizer Prices. According to WMAZ, “Fertilizer is among the most immediate concerns. Producing nitrogen fertilizer is an energy-intensive process that relies heavily on petroleum. The Middle East supplies an estimated 40% to 50% of internationally traded nitrogen fertilizer, and analysts say urea — a key crop nutrient — has already risen roughly $70 per ton in some U.S. markets since tensions escalated. For Taylor County peanut and cattle farmer Michael Knowles, those numbers are not abstract. He said his operation is already projecting losses of around $200 per acre on peanuts and $150 per acre on corn — before any additional cost increases from the conflict. ‘There's been some predictions that fertilizer will go up another $100 a ton on top of losing money as it is,’ Knowles said. ‘Fuel is gonna go up. Fertilizers is predicted to go up maybe another $100 a ton. And the prices of all of our commodities is down cheaper than they should be, so we're already in — backs up against the wall pretty bad already.’” [WMAZ, 3/4/26]
- Increased Prices From The War Forced Existing Farms To Cose And Discouraged Future Farmers. According to WMAZ, “Knowles said the situation is discouraging a new generation from entering the industry. Equipment costs have doubled or tripled, interest payments are punishing and loans are harder to secure. Farm bankruptcies, he said, are climbing. ‘You look around and your neighbors are going out of business,’ Knowles said. ‘Used to there was a bunch of farmers in every county, and now you're down to just four or five.’” [WMAZ, 3/4/26]
Georgia Farmers Claimed The War’s Increased Prices Made “A Huge Difference For A Small Farm.” According to CBS News, “Gas prices have continued to rise as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has disrupted the flow of oil. In Georgia, farmers are feeling the impact of the price spike. Matt Jordan delivers around 300 pounds of mushrooms to the DeKalb Farmers Market every week from the Ellijay Mushrooms farm. ‘These are our most popular—straight from the farm, shiitake mushrooms,’ he said. Jordan makes multiple daily deliveries to grocery stores. With rising diesel gas prices, he's feeling the pain in his wallet. ‘From $4 to going on $6 is a huge difference for a small farm,’ he said. ‘We go through probably 130 gallons of diesel a week, and that makes a big difference. It really adds up.’” [CBS News, 3/13/26]
War Shocks And Increased Fertilizer Costs Added Inflationary Pressure On Georgia Farmers And Drove Up Food Prices. According to WALB, “Experts said food prices could be a slower, but significant, impact — especially for Georgia agriculture. Emory University supply chain professor Nikolay Osadchiy said fertilizer and other farm inputs often follow energy prices. ‘That is going to probably add a little bit of inflationary pressure towards the end of the year,’ Osadchiy said. The American Farm Bureau Federation has also warned that volatility in energy markets and shipping through the Persian Gulf can reverberate through global fertilizer supplies.” [WALB, 4/7/26]
¶ Georgia Gas Prices Skyrocketed Amid The War And Georgians Braced For An Increase On Their Utility Bills From The War’s Increased Natural Gas Prices
Georgia Gas Prices Skyrocketed Amid The War And Experts Warned Those Higher Prices Become “Embedded” As The War Prolonged. According to WALB, “Analysts say escalating tension around major shipping routes — including the Strait of Hormuz — can push global energy markets higher, and Georgia consumers feel those increases quickly. AAA reported Tuesday that regular gas is averaging $3.73 per gallon in Georgia and diesel is averaging $5.30 per gallon. Chris Gaffney, managing director of Georgia Tech’s Supply Chain and Logistics Institute, said when higher fuel costs persist, businesses begin factoring them into prices that reach consumers. ‘Once we’re after four weeks, it’s starting to show up embedded in those costs,’ Gaffney said.” [WALB, 4/7/26]
Georgians Braced For An Increase On Their Utility Bills From The War’s Increased Natural Gas Prices. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “If shipping remains impacted, Georgians could also see an uptick in their utility bills from the war. Global natural gas prices have increased since the fighting began. As the world’s top natural gas producer, the U.S. is likely better insulated from the market’s volatility than Europe or Asia. Still, it’s possible a prolonged Middle East conflict could raise natural gas prices in the U.S., which could eventually trickle into Georgia customers’ monthly utility bills.” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 3/4/26]
¶ The War Disrupted Shipping At Georgia Ports And Slammed Georgia Exporters With Uncertainty And Increased Insurance Costs
The War Disrupted Shipping At Georgia Ports And Slammed Georgia Exporters With Uncertainty And Increased Insurance Costs. According to WALB, “Georgia’s ports and exporters could face additional disruptions. With increased detours and higher insurance costs, cargo schedules can shift quickly at the Port of Savannah. Exporters — including poultry shippers — may have to rebook shipments if routes through the Strait of Hormuz remain threatened, Gaffney said. ‘That box just got dropped off on the last best port,’ he said, describing how carriers can redirect cargo during major disruptions.” [WALB, 4/7/26]
¶ Georgia Airlines Raised Their Baggage Fees And Experts Warned Of Reverberating Price Shocks From Increased Jet Fuel Prices Caused By The War
Georgia Airlines Raised Their Baggage Fees And Experts Warned Of Reverberating Price Shocks From Increased Jet Fuel Prices Caused By The War. According to WALB, “Higher fuel prices can also hit travel out of Atlanta. Gaffney said jet fuel is a major expense for airlines, and prolonged increases can push up fares and fees and potentially reduce some international routes. ‘You may see curtailing of some of those international flights,’ he said. Delta and JetBlue both raised baggage fees in response to rising fuel prices.” [WALB, 4/7/26]