Ossoff says "zero interest in running for president" in Georgia debate

Key points

• Jon Ossoff and Mike Collins held their second and final debate Tuesday as early voting began in Georgia.
• Ossoff said he has "zero interest in running for president" in 2028 and committed to a full six-year term.
• The candidates clashed over Iran, rising costs, the 2020 election, and alleged white nationalist ties.

Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff and Republican Rep. Mike Collins met Tuesday night for their second and final debate in Georgia's Senate race, trading personal and political attacks. The Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate Series event came on the same day early voting started in the state.

Ossoff, the only Senate Democrat running for reelection in a state President Trump won in 2024, again said he has "zero interest in running for president" in 2028 and committed to a full six-year term. Collins argued Ossoff would run and called him the "DSA candidate," though Ossoff is not a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.

Clashes on Iran and impeachment

The candidates fought over the war with Iran. Ossoff defended his December vote to block some U.S. arms shipments to Israel, saying weapons sales should be assessed against U.S. interests, laws, and values. Collins repeated his allegation that Ossoff is out of touch, saying the race is "between Georgia and Georgetown."

Asked if he would support impeaching Trump, Ossoff did not give a yes-or-no answer but said Trump's "misconduct, abuse of power and corruption already exceed any prior standard for impeachment." He said he would consider any House articles of impeachment on the merits as a senator.

This is a race between Georgia and Georgetown. Somebody that has created jobs and opportunities right here in Georgia on this red clay versus a globetrotting trust fund kid who got to the Senate and then at every turn has voted to make our life less safe, more expensive and worse

— Mike Collins

Epstein and 2020 election

Collins brought up that Ossoff's campaign has drawn support from Silicon Valley investor Reid Hoffman, who had meetings with Jeffrey Epstein. Ossoff responded that Collins voted to cover up government records on Epstein, referring to unsuccessful votes in summer 2025. Collins said he did vote to release the files.

Collins has never backed off false claims that Biden's 2020 win was rigged. When asked if he still believed Trump defeated Biden, Collins said "Joe Biden went into office, and boy, Georgians paid for it," before pivoting to criticize Biden's economic policies. He later said, "Yes, Joe Biden was the president."