Georgian Senate Race: “The Fight of Our Lifetime” as Republicans Target Ossoff in 50-50 State

On Wednesday, Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., described ousting Democrat Sen. Jon Ossoff as “the fight of our lifetime to maintain the Senate,” warning that even with President Donald Trump’s planned Georgia rallies, Republicans face a difficult contest against a well-funded incumbent in what he called “a 50-50 state.”

McCormick, who serves on the House Armed Services and Oversight committees, appeared on Newsmax’s “Wake Up America” hours after Rep. Mike Collins won Tuesday’s Republican Senate runoff over former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley, setting up a November showdown with Ossoff. Trump endorsed Collins days before the runoff.

McCormick characterized Ossoff as a polished, well-funded incumbent with significant political skills but criticized his voting record. “His voting record is all wrong, but he is smooth, he’s intelligent, he’s well-spoken, and he’s well-funded,” McCormick said. He added that Republicans would need to deploy “all hands on deck” to flip the seat.

He described Georgia as a majority-minority electorate and emphasized the race as central to Republican hopes of holding the Senate.

McCormick also addressed the gubernatorial race, where billionaire healthcare executive Rick Jackson defeated Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in Tuesday’s Republican runoff. McCormick noted that “the statistics favored Jackson once the initial primary was over,” citing Attorney General Chris Carr’s endorsement and a bloc of voters who supported Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Raffensperger drew about 15% of the May 19 primary vote, while Carr garnered approximately 12%. Carr endorsed Jackson on May 27.

McCormick expressed surprise at Jackson’s victory given Jones received endorsements from both Trump and Kemp, but argued either Republican candidate would have been stronger than Democrat nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor. “She was a horrible mayor, terribly flawed candidate,” McCormick said. “I’m glad that we’re going against her because Georgia’s future is at stake.” Bottoms secured the Democratic nomination in May with 56% of the vote.

Jackson, founder of Jackson Healthcare, dominated television advertising with more than $50 million from his campaign and allied groups heading into the runoff, according to AdImpact data cited by CBS News. He will face Bottoms on November 3 to succeed term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp.

McCormick said he is “ultimately happy with the results” and praised Jones despite his loss: “I wish Burt Jones nothing but the best. He’s been a great lieutenant governor.”