Weak approval ratings for one of Senate Democrats’ most vulnerable incumbents are fueling fresh concerns that the party’s leftward shift could cost it a key 2020-cycle pickup.
Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), elected in the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s defeat, would likely lose if the election were held today, polls suggest. Georgia voters are increasingly at odds with his party, which is struggling with historically low approval numbers nationwide.
Even before Monday’s survey showed Ossoff locked in a tight race with his top challenger, Republicans were eager to unseat the 38-year-old senator. Reps. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) and Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) are seeking the GOP nomination, along with former Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley.
A new poll shows Ossoff tied with Collins at 38%, with 23% of likely voters still undecided about the 2026 race. Carter trails Ossoff by three points, 40% to 37%. Dooley, running with Gov. Brian Kemp’s endorsement, performs worst in the field, trailing Ossoff 42% to 35%.
Among Republicans, Collins is widely seen as the strongest challenger: one in four GOP voters picked him as the party’s best shot, compared with one in five for Carter and just 7% for Dooley.
Illegal immigration is expected to be a defining issue. More than three-quarters of voters back the Laken Riley Act, named for a University of Georgia student killed by an illegal immigrant. The law lowers the threshold for deporting noncitizens convicted of misdemeanor crimes.
Although Ossoff voted for the measure, only 31% of voters say he has done enough to address illegal immigration during his time in office. The bigger warning sign comes on the question of reelection: just 37% believe Ossoff deserves another term, while 48% say it’s time for a change.
