Georgia Senate debate centers on economy, tariffs and election integrity

Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff and Republican Rep. Mike Collins faced off Thursday in the first televised debate of the Georgia Senate race, a contest seen as pivotal for control of the U.S. Senate. The hour-long discussion, hosted by Atlanta-area WANF-TV, was dominated by questions about the economy, consumer prices and the legacy of policies enacted under Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

Ossoff repeatedly pressed Collins on his support for Trump-era tariffs, which he said have contributed to higher consumer-goods costs. > "Still have not heard an explanation for the tariffs," Ossoff said after multiple inquiries. Collins defended the tariffs as beneficial for Georgia’s ports, citing Savannah and Brunswick, but offered no detailed justification.

Collins shifted the focus to Biden-era legislation, arguing that the “Bidenomics” and the Green New Deal that Ossoff voted for are responsible for current inflation. > "That Bidenomics, that Green New Deal my opponent voted for, that’s where this inflation came from," he asserted.

The candidates also clashed over foreign-policy issues. Collins defended Trump’s decision to authorize bombing raids in Iran alongside Israel, stating the president acted to prevent a nuclear weapon. > "The president had every right to make sure Iran does not get a nuclear weapon. Jon Ossoff knows this," he said.

Election integrity was another flashpoint. Ossoff accused Collins of continuing to promote the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen, while Collins highlighted GOP-backed election-security measures and criticized Ossoff for opposing the SAVE Act, a bill that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote. > "Voters need confidence. We live in the best country in the world, and no reason we should not have the most secure elections in the world," Collins said.

Personal attacks also surfaced. Ossoff linked Collins to a family member who had posted white-nationalist content, calling the candidate a bigot. Collins denied any support for racism or antisemitism and said he had confronted his son-in-law about the posts. He also accused Ossoff of receiving campaign contributions from billionaire Reid Hoffman, noting Hoffman’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein, though no wrongdoing has been alleged.

Financial disclosures show Ossoff has raised over $100 million, more than half from small-donor contributions, while Collins has raised about $7 million, including a $25 million infusion from the Senate Leadership Fund. Recent polls give Ossoff a lead of roughly ten points, though the race remains a focal point for both parties.

In closing remarks, Ossoff attacked Collins for portraying himself as a truck driver despite inheriting a congressional seat, while Collins reiterated his criticism of Ossoff’s voting record on issues affecting Georgia farmers and workers.