Washington, Nov 04 (V7N)- Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff has won re-election to the US Senate from Georgia, defeating Republican Congressman Mike Collins in one of the most closely watched contests of the 2026 US midterm elections.

The victory secures Ossoff a second six-year term and allows Democrats to retain a crucial Senate seat in a state won by President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

The Associated Press projected Ossoff as the winner on Tuesday night, November 3. Collins, a strong Trump ally, had entered the race with the backing of the US president but failed to unseat the Democratic incumbent.

During the campaign, Collins faced criticism over his alleged associations with individuals linked to white supremacist ideologies and controversial social media activity. He had focused his campaign on supporting Trump's political agenda and enforcing stricter immigration policies.

In contrast, Ossoff highlighted the rising cost of living, healthcare affordability and government accountability as key priorities.

Ossoff first entered the Senate in January 2021 after defeating Republican David Perdue in Georgia's historic runoff election. At 39, he is currently the youngest member of the US Senate and Georgia's first Jewish senator.

Georgia emerged as a major battleground for both parties, as Republicans viewed Ossoff's seat as an important opportunity to strengthen their Senate majority. Trump narrowly carried the state in 2024 after losing it to Joe Biden in 2020.

Ossoff's re-election is also drawing attention because of growing speculation about his potential ambitions in the 2028 presidential election. Georgia's other Democratic senator, Raphael Warnock, has likewise been mentioned as a possible presidential contender.

The outcome is significant for Democrats as they seek to expand their influence in Congress and compete in traditionally Republican strongholds across the American South.

According to election projections reported by major US media outlets, Ossoff defeated Collins by a substantial margin, with the Associated Press declaring the race in his favour on election night.

The result also marks a setback for Trump, who had endorsed Collins and made the Georgia contest an important part of the Republican effort to retain control of the Senate.

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