Incumbent Sen. John Ossoff, D-Ga., stated during a Tuesday night debate that he has zero interest in running for president, a clarification that follows repeated speculation about a potential 2028 bid. The Georgia Democrat made the pledge while facing off against Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., in a contest for the Peach State Senate seat.
During the Atlanta Press Club U.S. Senate debate held at the Georgia Public Broadcasting studios, Ossoff addressed the recurring question of his political future beyond his current term. Greg Bluestein, chief political reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, pressed the senator to confirm whether he would serve his full six-year term if he won re-election. Bluestein noted that Ossoff had previously dismissed the prospect of a presidential campaign, yet his name continued to surface as a potential contender.
Ossoff answered directly, affirming that he would serve the full term. He stated, "I have zero interest in running for president. I'm not running for president. I'm running for re-election to the Senate." This statement aligns with his previous public remarks shooting down the idea of a 2028 presidential run.
Collins, who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since early 2023, challenged Ossoff’s stance during the debate. The Republican congressman claimed that Ossoff is actually running for president and suggested he would become the candidate for the Democratic Socialists of America. Collins’s comments contrasted sharply with Ossoff’s explicit denial and pledge to focus on his Senate re-election campaign.
The race features significant national endorsements, with President Donald Trump backing Collins and former President Barack Obama supporting Ossoff. Ossoff has held his Senate seat since early 2021. Georgia’s political landscape is mixed, currently featuring a Republican governor and two Democratic senators. In recent presidential elections, the state voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and 2024, but selected Joe Biden in 2020.