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Sen. Ossoff Touts Reelection Bid at Columbus Women's Luncheon
Georgia senator faces competitive race in state Trump won in 2024
Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:51pm
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U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff visited Columbus, Georgia on Friday, speaking at a women's empowerment luncheon where he addressed healthcare, Georgia's economy, and pushed his campaign for reelection. Ossoff is the only Democratic U.S. senator running for reelection in a state President Donald Trump carried in 2024, making his race one of the most difficult reelection environments in the country.
Why it matters
Ossoff's seat is considered a prime target for Republicans and a must-win for Democrats seeking to flip the Senate. The general election race is expected to be close, with the possibility of a runoff election as Ossoff and fellow Democrat Raphael Warnock have both had to win their seats through runoffs in recent years.
The details
In his speech, Ossoff challenged his potential Republican opponents on trade policy, calling on them to join him in demanding the Trump administration refund money from "illegal tariffs" that have "punished Georgia farmers" and "crushed Georgia small businesses." A political science professor noted the structural challenges Republicans face in the midterm cycle, with the president's party typically losing seats.
- Ossoff visited Columbus on Friday, March 13, 2026.
- The Republican primary in Georgia is scheduled for May 2026.
The players
Sen. Jon Ossoff
The Democratic U.S. senator from Georgia who is running for reelection in 2026.
President Donald Trump
The former president whose 2024 victory in Georgia has made Ossoff's reelection bid one of the most difficult in the country.
Dr. Jason Berggren
A political science professor at Georgia Southwestern State University who commented on the challenges facing Republicans in the midterm cycle.
Mike Collins
A Republican candidate running for Ossoff's Senate seat in the 2026 primary.
Buddy Carter
A Republican candidate running for Ossoff's Senate seat in the 2026 primary.
What they’re saying
“Here in our state, in our time, we can't look away and we can't let the powerful look away. And if they don't care and they won't help, we'll throw them out and elect leaders who will.”
— Sen. Jon Ossoff
“Republicans have a very tough year — it is a midterm year and the president's party typically loses seats in midterm election years. They've got a number of places they've got to defend and Georgia's one of those places.”
— Dr. Jason Berggren, Political Science Professor, Georgia Southwestern State University
What’s next
The Republican primary in Georgia is scheduled for May 2026, and the general election will take place in November 2026. Ossoff will face the winner of the GOP primary.
The takeaway
Ossoff's reelection bid in Georgia is seen as one of the most difficult for Democrats, as he is the only Democratic senator running in a state that former President Trump carried in 2024. The general election is expected to be close, with the possibility of a runoff, as Georgia has seen in recent Senate races.
