Ossoff defeats Collins to keep Georgia Senate seat

Sen. Jon Ossoff has won reelection in Georgia, defeating Republican challenger Mike Collins. The Associated Press called the race, confirming Ossoff as the state's senator. Ossoff is the only incumbent Senate Democrat retaining a seat in a state that President Donald Trump carried in the 2024 election.

The outcome was not expected to be this lopsided. In 2021, Democrats flipped both of Georgia's Senate seats for the first time in decades. However, Sen. Raphael Warnock held his seat only by a narrow margin in the 2022 runoff. Outside of these two Senate races, Republicans have won nearly every other statewide contest in the state.

The Republican primary this spring narrowed the field to Collins, a former congressman and owner of a family trucking company. President Trump endorsed Collins over former football coach Derek Dooley. Dooley was a first-time candidate backed by Gov. Brian Kemp, a popular Republican figure in the state.

Collins faced persistent scrutiny over his ties to family members and former staffers. These associates have espoused white nationalist and antisemitic views. Collins also continued to support Trump's claims regarding widespread election fraud in 2020. These factors alienated some independent and Republican-leaning voters.

Ossoff benefited from strong constituent services, earning respect from some Republican officials in Georgia. He also energized Democrats outside the state. Clips of Ossoff questioning Trump appointees during Senate hearings circulated widely online. Many Democrats began discussing him as a potential presidential candidate for 2028, although Ossoff has said he is not running for the White House.

The race was initially viewed as a marquee showdown for the midterms. Ossoff first gained national attention in 2017 when he attempted to flip a suburban House seat in a special election. He was later elected to the Senate in a 2021 runoff. His victory keeps the Democratic majority in the Senate intact for another term.