Jon Ossoff defeats Mike Collins in highly contested Senate race
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Sen. Jon Ossoff won a second term representing Georgia. Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images
Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff has won reelection in Georgia, defeating Republican challenger U.S. Rep. Mike Collins to secure a second term.
Why it matters: Ossoff's victory delivers a critical Senate hold for Democrats in a battleground state President Trump narrowly carried in 2024, denying Republicans a pickup they had once viewed as a major opportunity.
- The win keeps Ossoff, who first flipped the seat in 2021, in the Senate through 2032.
- Republicans had initially targeted Georgia as a potential pickup, but Ossoff built a polling and fundraising advantage heading into Election Day.
Zoom in: Supporters and elected officials at Ossoff's watch party at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta were upbeat when polls closed at 7pm. Excitement grew when Ossoff was projected to win shortly after 7:30pm.
- Supporters also cheered as CNN and MS Now broadcasts showed Democratic candidates leading races across the country.
- DJ Chika Takai matched that energy with club mixes of popular hip-hop, R&B, rock and dance music.
What they're saying: In his victory speech, Ossoff said "sweeping and decisive victories" rejected Trump's policies, but Democrats must continue fighting for "America's forgotten families."
- "Tonight we've struck a necessary and undeniable blow on behalf of justice and progress," he said. "And tonight in Georgia, we've proven not just that unity is possible, but that we can overcome division without sacrificing clarity of purpose."
The other side: In a post on X, Collins thanked "every Georgian who trusted me with their vote and poured their hearts" into his campaign.
- "We left it all on the road, and I'd do every mile of it again," he said. "Thank you, Georgia!"
Catch up quick: Ossoff — widely viewed as a 2028 presidential contender — ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Collins emerged from a contentious Republican contest.
- Collins, a trucking company owner who represents a red district between Atlanta and Augusta, ran as a Trump loyalist and made immigration enforcement a central focus of his campaign.
- Collins defeated former University of Tennessee head football coach Derek Dooley, who was endorsed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, to advance to the general election.
Between the lines: Collins faced mounting scrutiny over an ethics investigation, alleged associations with white nationalists and inflammatory comments about political opponents.
- An ethics complaint filed late last year against Collins found substantial reason to believe the lawmaker misused government resources, including allegations that his office paid the girlfriend of his former chief of staff for work she did not do. Collins denied wrongdoing and dismissed the allegations as "bogus."
- Ossoff repeatedly criticized Collins' alleged ties to white nationalists, making it a recurring issue in debates and campaign appearances.
- Less than two weeks before Election Day, CNN reported Collins joked about pushing former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi off an airplane and hanging other U.S. political leaders.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout.
