Politics1 min read

WATCH LIVE: Sen. Jon Ossoff speaks after winning reelection in Georgia

By · Via PBS NewsHour · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The Associated Press called the Georgia Senate race at 7:55 p.m. EST on Tuesday, confirming that the Democratic incumbent defeated Republican challenger Mike Collins. Ossoff had entered the 2026 cycle viewed as highly vulnerable due to the political leanings of the state in the prior presidential contest. However, he vastly outpaced his opponent in campaign fundraising and leaned into sharp public criticisms of Donald Trump. Collins, a two-term congressman backed by Trump, was unable to close the financial and political gap.

Key points

  • Holding the Georgia seat maintains a critical path for Democrats attempting to win back t…: Holding the Georgia seat maintains a critical path for Democrats attempting to win back the Senate majority.
  • The outcome proves a Democrat can successfully defend a battleground Senate seat won by D…: The outcome proves a Democrat can successfully defend a battleground Senate seat won by Donald Trump two years earlier.
  • Strong fundraising and aggressive critiques of the former president served as effective c…: Strong fundraising and aggressive critiques of the former president served as effective components of the winning strategy.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-sen-jon-ossoff-speaks-after-winning-reelection-in-georgia Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH LIVE: Sen. Jon Ossoff speaks after winning reelection in Georgia Politics Nov 3, 2026 8:41 PM EST 2026 ELECTION COVERAGE: Watch Live | Poll Closing Times | All Live Results | Live Updates | Live Fact Check Democrat Jon Ossoff won reelection Tuesday to the U.S. Senate representing Georgia, defeating Republican Mike Collins. Watch Ossoff speak in the video player above. Ossoff was the only Senate Democrat seeking reelection in a state that President Donald Trump won in 2024, and holding his seat was critical to his party's hopes of flipping control of the Senate. Ossoff was considered vulnerable at the outset of the 2026 election cycle. But he vastly outraised Collins, a two-term congressman who won Trump's endorsement during an extended Republican primary, and he ran an aggressive campaign that gained national attention for his biting critiques of Trump. The Associated Press declared Ossoff the winner at 7:55 p.m. EST. Explore more of…

Politics