Ossoff defeats Trump-backed Collins to secure second Senate term in Georgia
The Democrat held his seat against a Republican challenger mired in ethics probes, securing a victory that party leaders framed as a check on the White House.
By Julian Schulz ·
Georgia voters kept a Democrat in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, electing Jon Ossoff to a second term. He defeated Republican Congressman Mike Collins in a race that had been viewed as a top target for the GOP. The Associated Press called the contest less than an hour after polls closed.
Ossoff, 39, faces six more years in Washington. The result stands out because Georgia is a state President Donald Trump won in 2024. Ossoff was the only Democratic senator up for reelection in that state. Despite the political climate, he maintained a polling lead and a fundraising edge over Collins throughout the campaign.
The Republican candidate faced several obstacles. He is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee. Allegations suggest he used government funds to pay an intern who dated his chief of staff but performed no duties. His son-in-law is a social media influencer who promotes antisemitic content. Additionally, a former staffer has posted Nazi and Ku Klux Klan imagery online.
Collins aligned closely with Trump, whose approval ratings in Georgia are at a low point. High gas prices and inflation weigh on voters. In a speech in Atlanta, Collins called serving under Trump a privilege. He said the results were not what they wanted but that he would continue to serve in whatever capacity afforded to him.
Ossoff positioned his victory as a response to the president's policies. He vowed to fight for health care coverage, lower costs, and civil rights. In his victory speech, he stated that Georgia had struck a blow for justice and progress. He also congratulated Keisha Lance Bottoms, who won the governor's race earlier that evening.
The campaign benefited from endorsements by high-profile Republicans. Former U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona and mayors from Valdosta and Tifton backed Ossoff. They cited his constituent services, including his advocacy for farmers after Hurricane Helene in 2024.
Ossoff first won the seat in a 2021 runoff against David Perdue. Before that, he worked for the late John Lewis and ran for Congress in 2017. He has said he intends to serve his full term and will not run for president in 2028.
Source: Rough Draft Atlanta
