Midterms 2026: Jon Ossoff, re-elected in Georgia, fuels Democratic hopes for the 2028 presidential election

He is certainly one of the rising stars of the Democratic Party. But against all odds, Jon Ossoff assures that he has “no desire” to run for the White House. His re-election to the Senate in Georgia on Tuesday, however, fuels his supporters' expectations for the 2028 American presidential election. At 39, the Democrat won comfortably against Republican Mike Collins (59% of the vote against 41%), in a state won by Donald Trump in 2024.

This victory strengthens its visibility within a Democratic Party seeking renewal since Donald Trump's return to power. In Atlanta, some voters already want to see him take a new step. “We need him, we need new blood,” confides Gracie Surface, a young nurse met after his vote.

Total opposition to Donald Trump

The senator, who repeated on Monday his lack of presidential desire, adopted an offensive tone on election night. “The American people have rejected the depravity, corruption and incompetence of the lame duck President Donald J. Trump,” he said, calling the Democratic victories “overwhelming and decisive.”

His opposition to Donald Trump had already earned him national exposure over the summer. During a meeting, he notably said: “He doesn’t want to do the job (of president). » His comments on the president's trips with his assistant Natalie Harp then circulated on social networks. USA Today recalls that this sequence sparked conservative criticism while fueling speculation about a Jon Ossoff candidacy in 2028.

He is often compared to Barack Obama

Among his supporters, his oratorical ease arouses comparisons with Barack Obama, who came to campaign in Georgia. “They both have this presence and it’s exciting, it gives you hope. But they are different,” emphasizes Joi Huff, who works in health, one of the senator’s main campaign themes.

His electoral journey began with a defeat against Republican Karen Handel, during a by-election to the House of Representatives in 2017. In January 2021, his victory in the Senate, combined with that of Raphael Warnock, allowed the Democrats to take control of the upper house. Elected at 33, Jon Ossoff is today the youngest senator in office, USA Today further states.

Georgia's first Jewish senator

Born in Atlanta to a Jewish family, he also became Georgia's first Jewish senator. His political commitment was built with John Lewis, a figure in the fight for civil rights, to whom he wrote at the age of 16 before becoming his intern. John Lewis then accompanied and encouraged him to run for office.

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Before the Senate, Jon Ossoff also worked in investigative journalism and led the production company Insight TWI, from 2013 to 2021. His documentaries focused on corruption and war crimes. This journey and his campaign in Georgia now fuel his national profile, even though he seems not to want to position himself as a candidate for the White House. But the truth of today is not the truth of tomorrow.