Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff is amassing a significant campaign war chest for his 2026 reelection bid, signaling an early and aggressive start to what is expected to be a high-stakes race.
On Wednesday, Ossoff’s campaign announced it had raised over $12 million in the third quarter, from July through September, bringing its total cash on hand to $21 million. The funds were contributed by 233,000 individual donors, highlighting a broad base of support.
The first-term senator’s campaign is already operating at a high tempo, spending nearly half of its third-quarter haul. The early spending comes as Republican-aligned groups have begun to target Ossoff. An organization with ties to Senate Majority Leader John Thune has committed $5 million to advertising against him, while Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America has pledged an additional $4.5 million.
In his official capacity, Ossoff has emphasized his ability to achieve bipartisan results, while on the campaign trail, he has focused on his opposition to Donald Trump and what he describes as corruption rooted in the influence of money in politics.
Meanwhile, Republican challengers are working to build their own financial reserves. U.S. Rep. Mike Collins reported raising $1.9 million, which included a $1 million transfer from his House campaign account, leaving him with $2.4 million in cash. Former football coach Derek Dooley raised $1.85 million and has $1.7 million on hand. A third major Republican, U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, has not yet reported his third-quarter totals but raised $1 million and loaned his campaign $2 million in the second quarter.
The Georgia contest is anticipated to be one of the nation’s most expensive. According to OpenSecrets, which tracks political spending, the state’s twin Senate races in 2020 cost a combined total of over $900 million. Sen. Raphael Warnock’s 2022 reelection campaign against Herschel Walker cost more than $470 million.
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