Ossoff rejects 2028 buzz amid bruising night of Senate debates
Sen.
Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) delivered another debate performance tailor-made for social media Tuesday night, feeding the presidential speculation he insists is entirely misplaced.
Why it matters: A darling of the Democratic internet and a favorite to win the party's nomination in 2028, Ossoff emphatically ruled out a White House bid and pledged to serve a full six-year Senate term if re-elected.
"He is running.
He's going to be your DSA candidate," Republican challenger Rep.
Mike Collins countered, seeking to paint Ossoff as a socialist with ambitions beyond Georgia.
The big picture: Georgia was one of three battleground states hosting Senate debates Tuesday night, with candidates in Iowa and Maine also clashing over President Trump's foreign policy, the cost of living and their records in Washington.
In Georgia, Ossoff and Collins traded vicious personal attacks throughout their second and final debate, reprising a feud that has become a viral spectacle online.
"Will you commit tonight that for the remainder of this campaign — it's just three weeks, Mike — you won't allow any more neo-Nazi propaganda to be produced from your house?" Ossoff demanded , referring to Collins' son-in-law, an alleged white nationalist influencer.
Collins accused Ossoff of inciting threats against his family, then attacked him over campaign support from billionaire Reid Hoffman, who had ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
"Mike, you really want to bring up the Epstein files?" Ossoff shot back , pointing to Collins' initial vote against releasing the documents — a position he reversed after Trump changed course.
In Maine, Republican Sen.
Susan Collins cast her independence from Trump as a political asset, arguing that her willingness to challenge the president — and work with him when necessary — has delivered for her state.
Collins cited her nine votes to end the Iran war, opposition to Trump's Big Beautiful Bill and roughly $1.5 billion in federal funding secured for Maine projects.
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