Ossoff and Bottoms campaign together as Georgia Republicans face runoff
Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia and Democratic candidate for governor Keisha Lance Bottoms held a joint rally at The Tabernacle in Atlanta on Sunday, presenting a united front as Republicans remain locked in primary runoffs. Ossoff criticized his potential general election opponents, Rep. Mike Collins and former football coach Derek Dooley, calling them “Trump puppets.” Bottoms similarly cast her potential rivals, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and businessman Rick Jackson, as aligned with President Donald Trump. Hours earlier, Collins and Dooley debated each other ahead of their June 16 runoff, each pledging loyalty to Trump while rarely mentioning Ossoff. Ossoff described Trump as a “failed president and a national disgrace” and lumped Collins and Dooley with him as “corrupt political insiders.” The competing events highlight the head start Democrats have in a midterm campaign that could shape the final two years of Trump’s presidency.
What’s reported
Sen. Jon Ossoff and gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms campaigned together at a joint rally in Atlanta, described by advisers as the first of many such events.
Ossoff called Rep. Mike Collins and former coach Derek Dooley “Trump puppets” and said “It doesn’t matter which one wins.”
Bottoms said of her potential opponents, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and billionaire businessman Rick Jackson, “They don’t see Trump’s reckless policies as a problem, they see them as a playbook.”
Collins and Dooley debated before their June 16 Republican runoff, both pledging loyalty to Trump.
Dooley criticized Collins over an ethics investigation into whether Collins abused taxpayer funds by hiring the girlfriend of his former chief of staff. Collins called the matter a “nothing burger.”
The Office of Congressional Conduct referred the matter to the House Ethics Committee after an initial inquiry.
Collins touted his sponsorship of the Laken Riley Act, a 2025 immigration law requiring immigrants accused of certain crimes to be held without bond.
Dooley and Collins each expressed support for Trump’s tariffs and the war in Iran; Collins has co-sponsored legislation to effectively ban abortion nationwide, while Dooley said states should decide.
Ossoff accused Dooley of benefiting from his brother Daniel Dooley’s business, CENTEGIX, which secured school security contracts in Georgia. Dooley spokesman Connor Whitney said Ossoff “is already lying about Derek Dooley.”
Trump endorsed Jones for governor but has not taken a side in the Senate race between Collins and Dooley.
Ossoff is the only Senate Democrat running for reelection in a state Trump carried in 2024; Bottoms aims to be the first Democrat elected Georgia governor since 1998.
Conflicting accounts
The article describes conflicting claims between candidates. Dooley accused Collins of an ethics violation involving hiring for work allegedly not performed, which Collins denies. Ossoff accused Dooley of benefiting from his brother’s government contracts, a claim Dooley’s campaign called a lie.
Key figures
Jon Ossoff, Democratic U.S. Senator from Georgia
Keisha Lance Bottoms, Democratic candidate for governor of Georgia and former Atlanta mayor
Mike Collins, Republican U.S. Representative from Georgia, Senate candidate
Derek Dooley, former football coach, Republican Senate candidate
Donald Trump, President of the United States
Burt Jones, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, Republican candidate for governor
Rick Jackson, billionaire businessman, Republican candidate for governor
Brian Kemp, Republican Governor of Georgia
Vince Dooley, late University of Georgia football coach (mentioned as Derek Dooley’s father)
Daniel Dooley, founder of CENTEGIX (Derek Dooley’s brother)
Connor Whitney, spokesman for Derek Dooley’s campaign
Sources: abcnews.com
