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US Politics

Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff wins re-election in Georgia over Republican Rep. Mike Collins

News outlets projected the win on Tuesday night, and CBS News says it keeps alive Democrats' hope of winning a Senate majority.

24 news outlets reported this
Liberal10 outletsA blow to Trump and a rising Democratic starCenter4 outletsOssoff's win within the fight for Senate controlConservative10 outletsAn easy Ossoff win over a troubled Collins
Published 3 min read
Overview

Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff won re-election in Georgia on Tuesday, beating Republican Rep. Mike Collins, according to projections from NBC News, CBS News, the Associated Press and Decision Desk HQ. Ossoff, 39, first came to the in 2021. He was the only Democrat seeking re-election in a state that President Trump won in 2024.

Collins, 59, has served in since 2023 and became the Republican nominee after a June runoff. The campaign centered on Trump's low approval, , the Iran war and rising prices. Ossoff also attacked Collins over people in his circle, including a son-in-law who promoted white nationalist posts and a former staffer who exchanged messages with an avowed white supremacist.

At a debate he said Collins had "hired half the Third Reich." Collins said he does not support racism or white nationalism. Polls showed Ossoff ahead through much of the race.

Republicans hold a 53-47 Senate majority, and Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control. Ossoff has said he has "zero interest in running for president," and at a debate he said he would serve a full second term.

Key figures
  • 8.2% Ossoff's advantage over Collins in a RealClearPolitics average of September and October polls — Washington Examiner
  • nearly $125 million raised by Ossoff by the end of September, per the Daily Mail — Daily Mail
  • 53-47 Republican-Democratic split in the Senate heading into the midterms — Newsweek
  • net gain of four seats what Democrats need to win control of the Senate — Newsweek
  • 62.9% Ossoff's vote share with 37% counted when the AP called the race, per the Washington Examiner — Washington Examiner

Three sides of the story

Liberal10 outlets

A blow to Trump and a rising Democratic star

The Daily Beast calls the result a "humiliating blow" to Trump and opens with Ossoff's jab about the president's "travel with Natalie," a reference to aide Natalie Harp. It describes a disciplined Ossoff campaign, notes that some Democrats call him the "next Obama," and says he has denied plans to run in 2028. NBC News says Ossoff "cruises" to re-election, pointing to a large money advantage and a sizable polling lead.

It walks through debates over tariffs, the Iran war and costs, and quotes Collins blaming "Bidenomics" for . NBC and the Daily Beast both cite the "Third Reich" line, and NBC adds that Collins said he does not support any form of racism. CBS News reports the projection and says Collins, after a messy primary and personal controversies, could not make significant inroads.

It adds that the win keeps Democrats' hope of a Senate majority alive.

Center4 outlets

Ossoff's win within the fight for Senate control

Newsweek's live-updates page says Ossoff "Triumphs" and places the result inside the battle for the Senate. It notes the AP called Virginia's Mark Warner just after 7 p.m. ET, with NBC News projecting Ossoff about 35 minutes later. It lays out the math: Republicans hold 53 seats, and Democrats need a net gain of four.

It quotes Northeastern University political science professor Costas Panagopoulos, who says voters' feelings about Trump and his policies will largely decide the 2026 . It then runs through other key races, including Iowa, Michigan, Texas, Ohio, Maine, Alaska and Kansas. The Hill's short item reports that Decision Desk HQ projects Ossoff will win, showing him near 80 percent of the vote against almost 20 percent for Collins, with 11 percent of precincts reporting.

NewsNation's live-results page says Georgia voters chose between Collins and Ossoff and that polls closed at 7 p.m. ET.

Conservative10 outlets

An easy Ossoff win over a troubled Collins

The Washington Examiner says Ossoff "survived a challenge" and notes the win could help Democrats toward a Senate majority and possibly a 2028 presidential bid. It reports the AP call shortly before 8 p.m. ET and says Republicans had largely concluded they had little chance of flipping the seat. The Daily Mail's headline says Ossoff "humiliates"

Collins in a "rout." It says Ossoff's fundraising reached nearly $125 million by the end of September, compared with $5.8 million for Collins, and recounts him calling Trump a "draft-dodging crook president." Townhall gives the result, then the primary and runoff numbers, Gov. Brian Kemp's endorsement of Collins, and the Senate Leadership Fund moving its pledged $44 million from Georgia to Kansas.

The New York Post says Ossoff won easily, quotes him saying "I have zero interest in running for president," and reports the House Ethics Committee is investigating accusations that Collins's office improperly paid a former intern $10,000.

All sources: 30 articles from 24 outlets

Liberal (12)

Center (5)

Conservative (13)

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