Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff is projected to have won re-election in Georgia, defeating Republican challenger Mike Collins and pushing the crucial swing state deeper into Democratic control. Ossoff, a rising star in the Democratic Party, portrayed his opponent as loyal to a "failed president" and made the rising cost of living a central issue in the campaign. Georgia voted for Donald Trump in 2024.
Collins had blamed rising cost of living on former President Joe Biden and defended his support for Trump's war in Iran. With polls suggesting Ossoff held a solid lead in the race, Republicans had diverted resources from Georgia to other contests. FOLLOW LIVE - Election results and analysis RESULTS - Live US 2026 midterm results as they come in Democrats are used to heartbreak in Texas - could Talarico turn the tide?
News of Ossoff's projected victory, which was announced less than an hour after polls closed, rippled through the Georgia Democrats watch party in Atlanta with supporters cheering and clapping. He began his remarks by thanking his family and voters in Georgia for their support, replying "I love you, too", in response to shouts coming from the jubilant crowd. He returned to many of the points he made on the campaign trail, expressing his concern about the economic woes faced by everyday Americans, while attacking big pharma and corporate America and alleged corruption in the White House.
"This moment is an opening not for restoration, but for reformation," Ossoff said. "And so, amidst our celebration tonight, we must acknowledge that the underlying crisis gripping our Republic remains, and that therefore, our most vital work lies ahead." The race was one of the first major contests projected as part of the midterms on Tuesday, which will shape the rest of Donald Trump's presidency. The outcome will determines which party - Trump's Republicans or opposition Democrats - controls Congress.
Brian Kemp, Georgia's term-limited Republican governor, was the favoured candidate to run against Ossoff, but he declined. Political pundits suspected that Kemp had avoided running, wary of Ossoff's rising star power, with rumours swirling that the Democrat could be mulling a run for president in 2028. Throughout his campaign, Ossoff downplayed such rumours, saying on multiple occasions that he has "zero interest" in a presidential bid.
His messaging on the campaign trail focused on the economy and voter concerns around affordability, which exit polls show was the top issue for many. He often hammered Collins, who is currently serving in the US House of Representatives, for voting to support Trump's tariffs which have been linked to rising inflation. His victory was not unexpected but Republicans had still hoped this would be a more competitive race.
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