Georgia Senate and Governor Races Set for Election Day

Georgia voters will decide whether Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff keeps his seat and who succeeds Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. The contests are among the races drawing national attention, with President Donald Trump campaigning for Republicans and former President Barack Obama appearing in Atlanta for Democrats.

Ossoff is Georgia’s lone Democratic senator seeking another term, in a state Trump carried in 2024. He has raised about $137 million through October 14, compared with about $11 million for Republican challenger Mike Collins. Outside groups supporting Ossoff have also outspent those backing Collins.

A final Senate forecast projected Ossoff would win by 13 points. It also predicted Democrats would take control of the Senate, though the forecast depends on outcomes in competitive races across the country. Republicans currently hold 53 seats and can lose no more than three to retain control with Vice President JD Vance able to break ties.

In the governor’s race, Jackson, a healthcare executive, faces Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor. Jackson won the Republican nomination in a runoff against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Trump’s preferred candidate. Bottoms secured the Democratic nomination in a seven-candidate primary. The winner will serve as governor during the 2028 presidential campaign.

Polls close at 7 p.m. Eastern. Early in-person and mail ballots are expected to make up much of the first results, and those votes have tended to favor Democrats. Election Day in-person votes could shift the margins as counting continues. If no candidate receives a majority, the top two advance to a December 1 runoff.

Georgia Could Deliver Democrats a Senate Breakthrough

Georgia is a major test of whether Democrats can overcome a difficult Senate map and win control of the chamber. Jon Ossoff, Georgia’s lone Democratic senator seeking another term, has built a substantial fundraising advantage over Republican Mike Collins: about $137 million to Collins’ $11 million through October 14.

A final Senate forecast projected Ossoff would win by 13 points and predicted Democrats would take control of the Senate. That outcome would depend on results in other competitive states, but Georgia offers Democrats a chance to hold a key seat even as Republicans seek to defend their narrow control.

The governor’s contest matters beyond the state’s leadership. Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms is running against Republican Rick Jackson to succeed Brian Kemp, and the person elected will serve as governor during the 2028 presidential campaign. A separate forecast said Ossoff’s strength could help Bottoms, predicting she could benefit from his performance.

Voters should expect early returns to be shaped by mail and early in-person ballots, which have tended to favor Democrats. Those first numbers may change as Election Day votes are counted. The stakes are control of the Senate and the direction of a state that remains central to presidential politics.

Georgia Republicans Aim to Hold Ground in Key Races

Georgia Republicans are trying to defend the governor’s office and unseat Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in Georgia, which Trump won in 2024. Republican Mike Collins is challenging Ossoff, whose campaign has raised about $137 million through October 14, compared with Collins’ roughly $11 million. Republican outside groups have supported Collins, while outside spending backing Ossoff has been greater.

A final Senate forecast predicted Ossoff would win by 13 points and Democrats would take control of the chamber. That is a projection, not a result: Republicans hold 53 seats and can lose no more than three to retain control, with Vice President JD Vance able to break ties.

In the governor’s race, Republican healthcare executive Rick Jackson faces Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms. Jackson won his nomination runoff against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, whom Trump had backed. The next governor will serve during the 2028 presidential campaign, when Georgia could again be a pivotal state.

The first results may not tell the whole story. Georgia counties are expected to release many early and mail votes before most Election Day ballots, and those early votes have tended to favor Democrats. Later in-person results could alter the picture. If no candidate wins a majority, the top two finishers will meet in a December 1 runoff.