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Dem senator says 'zero interest in running for president' in debate with GOP opponent
Confirmed
In Short: In a debate, Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff denied any interest in running for president in 2028.
During a debate at the Georgia Public Broadcasting studios, Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff emphatically denied any interest in running for president in 2028.
Ossoff, facing Republican opponent Representative Mike Collins, stated, 'I have zero interest in running for president. I'm not running for president. I'm running for re-election to the Senate.'
Collins, however, insisted that Ossoff was 'running for president' and would be 'your DSA candidate,' referring to the Democratic Socialists of America.
Ossoff also pledged to serve his full six-year term if re-elected, responding to questions about his presidential ambitions.
The debate, hosted by the Atlanta Press Club, saw both candidates engage in heated exchanges over various issues.
Ossoff pressed Collins about his support for President Donald Trump’s tariffs, a key issue in the campaign.
Collins accused Ossoff of supporting abortion up to and past birth, a claim Ossoff did not address directly.
Ossoff also questioned Collins about his stance on antisemitism and hate, stating, 'Antisemitism, hate of any kind. It is despicable.'
The debate also touched on the war with Iran and rising costs, with both candidates trading personal and political attacks.
Ossoff noted that he would not run for president in 2028, and dismissed speculation about a joint ticket with Sen. Mark Kelly.
Despite Collins' assertions, Ossoff maintained his stance, saying, 'Let me reiterate. I have zero interest in running for president in 2028 and, frankly, zero interest in the 2028 fantasy football right now.'
The Cook Political Report rates the Georgia Senate race as 'likely Democratic,' reflecting the current political climate.
What this adds
The debate did not establish unusually hostile or confrontational behavior beyond typical political discourse.
The debate focused on policy issues alongside personal attacks, reflecting the competitive nature of the race.
What's confirmed
- “H e is running for president. He’s gonna be your DSA [Democratic Socialists of America] candidate,” Collins insisted.
- "I have zero interest in running for president. I'm not running for president. I'm running for re-election to the Senate."
What's still developing
- The wording foregrounds confrontation, but does not establish that this debate was unusually hostile or that policy went unreported; CBS’s opening names policy disputes.
- CBS News said both candidates fought over the war with Iran, rising costs, and the 2020 election results, as Ossoff weighed whether to consider impeachment if the U.S. House sends articles. whether the debate was mostly finger-pointing or attacks Local 3 News criticises the debate as finger-pointing, while CBS News frames it mainly as personal and political attacks.
- Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., said Tuesday night during a debate that he will not run for president in 2028.
- Piker previously claimed that “America deserved 9/11,” a statement he has attempted to backpedal.
- However, the senator has gained the favor of the radical, growing socialist wing of the Democratic Party, with far-left, anti-Israel streamer Hasan Piker calling Ossoff his “dark horse” presidential pick for 2028.
- The congressman has previously accused Ossoff of being an “elitist” who is “using Georgia as a platform” for his 2028 presidential bid.
- This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets.
- Trump has been particularly dismissive of Ossoff’s attacks, including the senator’s criticism that the president would rather “travel with” White House aide Natalie Harp than be president, calling him a “Pee-wee Herman look-alike,” referring to a comedic children’s character.
- Asked by Greg Bluestein of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution whether he would serve his full term if he wins in November, Ossoff replied: “Yes, I will.” The remarks are Ossoff’s most forceful rejection yet of a potential 2028 presidential bid even as his name has repeatedly surfaced in national Democrats’ conversations about possible contenders for the party’s nomination.