Democrats hope early unity gives them an edge while Republicans remain locked in costly runoffs.
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff campaigns in south DeKalb County on Saturday, May 23, 2026. Ossoff said he believes he can win reelection by running against President Donald Trump’s policies and showing unity with Georgia’s Democratic candidate for governor, Keisha Lance Bottoms. (Greg Bluestein/AJC)
Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is making two big bets in his reelection campaign.
The first is that running more aggressively against President Donald Trump in a state he captured in 2024 will help him energize Democrats and win over independents and disaffected Republicans.
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U.S. Rep. Mike Collins (left) and former football coach Derek Dooley are both Republicans running for U.S. Senate. (AJC file)
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Gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms thanks supporters after winning the Democratic primary election during her Election Day watch party at the Hyatt Regency on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (Natrice Miller for The AJC)
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Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s chief political reporter. He is also an author, TV analyst and co-host of the Politically Georgia podcast.
