Georgia voters headed to the polls Tuesday to choose their U.S. senator for the next six years, with the race between Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff and Republican challenger Mike Collins tightening in the final stretch. Polls closed at 7 p.m. EST, and results are expected to come in throughout the evening.
Ossoff, who narrowly defeated then-Sen. David Perdue in a 2021 runoff, is seeking a second term. That victory, along with Raphael Warnock's win over Kelly Loeffler in the state's other Senate race that year, flipped Georgia's Senate delegation from Republican to Democratic for the first time in decades. The state had long been a GOP stronghold, though President Biden carried it in 2020.
Republicans see this race as a key pickup opportunity. The GOP nominee, Rep. Mike Collins, emerged from a competitive primary, defeating former college football coach Derek Dooley by 10 points in a runoff after Rep. Buddy Carter was eliminated in the first round. Collins has campaigned on border security, inflation, and support for President Trump, who won Georgia back in 2024.
But the political landscape has shifted. National trends and controversies surrounding Collins have made the race more competitive than Republicans initially hoped. A recent poll showing a narrowing generic ballot suggests the national environment may not favor the GOP as much as expected.
Ossoff has focused his campaign on bipartisan achievements, including infrastructure and semiconductor manufacturing, while warning that a Republican Senate would impede Democratic priorities. He has also highlighted his work on veterans' issues and rural broadband expansion.
Collins, meanwhile, has tried to tie Ossoff to Biden's policies, particularly on immigration and the economy. He has also faced scrutiny over past statements and business dealings, which Democrats have used in attack ads.
The race is one of several bellwether contests that could determine control of the Senate. With the chamber evenly divided, every seat matters. Georgia's large and diverse electorate, including growing suburban and minority populations, makes it a critical battleground.
Election officials have prepared for a long night, with absentee ballots and early voting expected to play a significant role. Election night results will be updated as counties report.
For now, both campaigns are bracing for a possible recount, given the state's history of close elections. The outcome could hinge on a few thousand votes, as it did in 2020 and 2021.
Stay with The World Signal for live updates and analysis as results come in.
