Balancing Trump Criticism And Bipartisanship, Democrat Jon Ossoff Walks A Fine Line In Georgia

There's the Jon Ossoff who built his political career around criticizing Donald Trump.

There's also the Ossoff who works with Republicans, advancing the interests of Georgia's farmers and military bases.

But they're the same guy - a 38-year-old first-term U.S. senator from Georgia who says his race will be the "main event" in 2026. He's the only Democratic senator seeking reelection from a state Trump carried in winning last year's presidential election.

Ossoff is among many Democrats looking for the right way to challenge Trump and Republicans after the GOP won the White House and congressional majorities in 2024. While some Democrats may be eyeing the presidency in 2028 , Ossoff has a more immediate goal -- retaining his seat in Georgia, where Republicans hope to pad their narrow Senate majority.

Still, midterm elections typically favor the party opposing the president. And Republicans in recent years have often nominated candidates seen by moderates as as too extreme , including in Georgia.