Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff has been projected to defeat Republican challenger Mike Collins in Georgia, retaining his seat and preserving a crucial Democratic foothold in the US Senate.
Mr Ossoff, 39, was the only Democratic senator seeking re-election in a state won by President Trump in 2024. His victory keeps alive Democratic hopes of securing a majority in the upper chamber.
The result is a setback for Republicans, who had identified Georgia as a key opportunity to strengthen their control of the Senate. The race was initially viewed as one of their most promising chances of taking a seat after the state moved to the right in the previous election.
Mr Collins, 59, secured the Republican nomination in June after a primary run-off. The owner of a trucking business, he has represented Georgia in the House of Representatives since 2023 and sought to portray Mr Ossoff as disconnected from the state’s values.
But the Collins campaign was overshadowed by controversy involving people in his political circle. A former staffer reportedly shared images associated with Nazi and Ku Klux Klan imagery on social media, prompting questions about the campaign.
Mr Collins’ close alignment with the president was also seen as benefiting Mr Ossoff, who built a formidable fundraising operation and led in polling before election day.
Mr Ossoff first entered the Senate in 2021, when he helped give Democrats two run-off victories in Georgia. His projected re-election ensures the party retains a key seat as it continues to pursue control of the chamber.
