// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
Democratic rising star Ossoff projected to hold Georgia seat
Democrat Jon Ossoff projected to hold key Georgia Senate seat
Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff is projected to have won re-election in Georgia, defeating Republican challenger Mike Collins and pushing the crucial swing state deeper into Democratic control.
Ossoff, a rising star in the Democratic Party, portrayed his opponent as loyal to a "failed president" and made the rising cost of living a central issue in the campaign. Georgia voted for Donald Trump in 2024.
Collins had blamed rising cost of living on former President Joe Biden and defended his support for Trump's war in Iran.
With polls suggesting Ossoff held a solid lead in the race, Republicans had diverted resources from Georgia to other contests.
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News of Ossoff's projected victory, which was announced less than an hour after polls closed, rippled through the Georgia Democrats watch party in Atlanta with supporters cheering and clapping.
He began his remarks by thanking his family and voters in Georgia for their support, replying "I love you, too", in response to shouts coming from the jubilant crowd.
He returned to many of the points he made on the campaign trail, expressing his concern about the economic woes faced by everyday Americans, while attacking big pharma and corporate America and alleged corruption in the White House.