Sen. Jon Ossoff and GOP Rep. Mike Collins intensified campaigns in Georgia ahead of their first debate on Thursday. Decision Desk HQ shows Ossoff with an 8-point lead in the pivotal state — the only Democratic incumbent defending a seat in a state President Trump won in 2024. Ossoff called Collins a Trump "puppet" and urged an end to the U.S. war with Iran; Collins countered that Ossoff is too far left and criticized his stance on gas and transit. Voters can still register ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Georgia Senate Showdown: Ossoff Holds 8-Point Lead as Debate Approaches
Georgia Senate race: Ossoff, Collins throw jabs with debate looming
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and Republican Rep. Mike Collins campaigned across Georgia over the weekend as both prepare for their first head-to-head debate on Thursday. With control of the Senate hanging in the balance, the race has drawn intense attention: Decision Desk HQ currently gives Ossoff an 8-point edge in a state Democrats view as critical to reclaiming the Senate.
Ossoff — the only Democratic incumbent defending a Senate seat in a state carried by President Trump in 2024 — repeatedly accused Collins of acting as a "puppet" for the Trump administration. At a campaign event Saturday, Ossoff challenged Collins to call for an end to the U.S. war with Iran and criticized federal policies he said have raised costs for everyday Americans.
"By bringing an end to this disastrous war based on lies; by repealing Donald Trump's chaotic tariffs, and by repealing his healthcare cuts, we can make gas more affordable, we can make groceries more affordable, and we can make healthcare more affordable," Ossoff said.
Collins' campaign said the congressman was holding meet-and-greet events around the state that were closed to the media. Speaking to Newsmax, Collins argued that Ossoff is too far to the left for Georgia voters and accused him of aligning with independent Sen. Bernie Sanders roughly 90% of the time.
"Gas prices are high, but for a fact, Jon Ossoff doesn't care how high gas prices go because he doesn't want you running in a gas vehicle, anyway. He wants you riding on mass transit," Collins said, criticizing Ossoff's policy priorities.
In a separate high-profile statewide contest, Republican businessman Rick Jackson is running against former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms; recent polls show Jackson holding a single-digit lead as both campaigns move into the final stretch. Voters still have time to register for the Nov. 3 election, and both the Senate and governor candidates are set to take part in debates next week.
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