ATLANTA – Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, 39, has won re-election in Georgia, defeating Republican rival Mike Collins by a clear margin in Tuesday’s midterm elections. Major media organizations have projected the result, though vote counting is still under way. The hard-fought contest dashed Republican hopes of flipping the seat.
Ossoff first made history in 2021 as the youngest member of the US Senate and its first millennial, winning in a state that Donald Trump carried in the most recent presidential election. Republicans had made the seat a top target this cycle, but the victory keeps both of Georgia’s Senate seats in Democratic hands, a significant boost for a party battling for a Senate majority.
His campaign centered on the rising cost of living and the need for ethics in government, while also criticizing President Trump’s policies. Ossoff raised a record sum of more than $100 million, giving him a decisive financial advantage. Collins, despite Trump’s endorsement, was hampered by a shortage of funds and past controversies.
Ossoff won his seat in 2021 alongside Senator Raphael Warnock, giving Democrats both of Georgia’s Senate seats. Analysts say the latest win has further strengthened his standing within the party, and that he is emerging as a key force in national politics who could take on higher roles in the future.
Ossoff, however, has said he intends to serve out his full term as senator.