ATLANTA — On Saturday, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff returned to Atlanta to galvanize core Democratic supporters who are urgently seeking decisive action against the administration of President Donald Trump.
“Georgia will bow to no king!” Ossoff declared in a passionate 20-minute address, portraying Trump as corrupt and disconnected from everyday Americans, while accusing him of attempting to undermine democracy through fear and intimidation tactics.
“This is not a drill. This is not a bad dream, Atlanta,” Ossoff exclaimed, indicating the political challenges ahead as a potential prime target for Republicans in the 2026 elections. “As citizens, this is the test of our lifetime. So tell me, Atlanta, are you ready to fight?”
Though the event was not officially a 2026 campaign kickoff, Ossoff’s campaign sought to downplay such speculations. He refrained from directly asking the approximately 2,000 Democrats at the music venue for their votes. However, his colleague, Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, along with other speakers, made their intentions clear, while Ossoff’s campaign distributed yard signs as attendees departed.
With the election years away, it’s unclear who will emerge as a Republican contender against the first-term Democrat. Speculation has centered around Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, though he has yet to commit to a decision, possibly setting his sights on a 2028 presidential bid or a retirement from politics. Should Kemp opt-out, potential GOP contenders include U.S. Reps. Buddy Carter, Rich McCormick, Mike Collins, and state Insurance Commissioner John King. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has even hinted at potential runs for governor or the Senate in 2026.
Given Georgia’s political climate, any election battle is expected to be fiercely competitive and extraordinarily costly. The Senate races in 2020, which resulted in wins for Ossoff and Warnock that shifted Senate control to Democrats, amassed more than $900 million in spending, per OpenSecrets. Moreover, Warnock’s 2022 reelection campaign against Republican Herschel Walker surpassed $470 million in expenditures.
Despite the backdrop of future elections, Ossoff focused on the immediate concerns expressed by Democratic voters, assuring them of his commitment to combat current political challenges.
“Maybe you feel surrounded by darkness right now. Maybe you’re feeling numb and questioning an exit,” Ossoff addressed the crowd. “But Atlanta, despair is a luxury we can’t afford.”
Throughout his tenure, Ossoff has positioned himself as a senator aiming for bipartisan collaboration. However, with Democrats uneasy and in the minority, he may adopt a more confrontational stance against Trump. Consistently, he has highlighted issues such as the corrupting influence of money in politics that prevent addressing common people’s concerns, a theme he reiterated during the rally.
“This is why things don’t work for ordinary people,” Ossoff explained. “It’s not due to trans kids, woke college students, or our new supposed enemy, Canada. Corruption causes inflated prescription costs, denied insurance claims, and lets hedge funds scoop up homes in your neighborhood.”
The rally was also a platform for individuals adversely affected by Trump’s policies, with many in the audience identifying with such grievances. Bev Roberts, present with her mother, described herself as a “Trump refugee,” having lost her job with the U.S. Agency for International Development, which led her back from Cairo. Frustrated by what she perceives as a lack of firm opposition, Roberts highlighted a need for pragmatic solutions rather than rhetoric.
On the flip side, Thomas McCormick traveled 140 miles from Dublin, Georgia, expressing dissatisfaction with the Democratic response, besides possibly Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut. Disenchanted with the rally, McCormick mused about considering a third-party, emphasizing that action is needed prior to 2026, comparing Trump’s tenure’s damage to the catastrophic 1937 Hindenburg explosion.
“That’s two more years of damage,” McCormick stated, as the tune of “Macarena” filled the hall pre-rally. “I have supported the left politically my entire life. Is this all we’ve got?”
