Jon Ossoff is moving to shut down speculation about his political future, saying he intends to win re-election to the Georgia Senate rather than pursue the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.
The 39-year-old senator made the statement during Tuesday night’s debate against Republican challenger Mike Collins, directly addressing months of speculation that he could become a potential Democratic presidential contender.
Asked about the rumors in the debate’s opening question, Ossoff responded: “I have zero interest in running for president. I’m not running for president. I’m running for re-election to the Senate.”
When asked whether he would commit to serving the full six-year term if voters re-elected him, Ossoff replied, “Yes, I will.”
Collins immediately challenged that assurance, telling viewers, “He is running. He’s going to be your DSA candidate,” referring to the Democratic Socialists of America.
The Republican has sought to cast Ossoff as out of step with Georgia voters, using the debate to criticize his connections to prominent figures associated with the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.
During their second debate, Collins again focused on Ossoff’s perceived ties to the left, mentioning Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and left-wing activist Hasan Piker.
“He doesn’t denounce anybody or anything or condemn them, because he’s part of them,” Collins said.
“I have zero interest in running for president. I’m not running for president. I’m running for re-election to the Senate,” Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff said in response to the debate’s opening question.
Georgia Senate candidate Mike Collins rejected Ossoff’s pledge, telling viewers, “He is running. He’s going to be your DSA candidate.”
The latest RealClearPolling average, based on surveys conducted between July 19 and October 6, shows former Vice President Kamala Harris at 26.4 percent, ahead of California Governor Gavin Newsom at 14.4 percent.
The exchange came as Ossoff’s national profile has grown. His increasingly sharp criticism of President Donald Trump has drawn attention from Democrats already looking toward the next presidential election.
Questions about Ossoff’s long-term ambitions had been circulating for months before Tuesday’s debate.
In June, Ossoff dismissed speculation about a 2028 presidential campaign as “fantasy football.” He again said he had “zero interest” in running for the White House and urged Democrats to focus instead on the midterm elections.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, meanwhile, continues to be mentioned as a possible Democratic frontrunner.
Harris has declined to rule out another White House bid in 2028. In a podcast conversation with actress Keke Palmer earlier this week, she said she had not yet decided whether to launch a second presidential campaign.
Harris then turned attention to the next midterm elections, warning that Democrats must first win the 2026 contests before focusing on the subsequent presidential race.
Her remarks came as she led early polling for the Democratic presidential nomination, with California Governor Gavin Newsom emerging as one of her most prominent potential rivals.
However, Newsom told CNN’s Jake Tapper last month that he would not consider running if Harris were also on the ballot.
The latest RealClearPolling average, covering polls conducted from July 19 through October 6, places Harris at 26.4 percent and Newsom at 14.4 percent.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg sits in third place with 12.6 percent, followed by New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 10.6 percent and Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff at 8.9 percent.
Other names being discussed include Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, all of whom could emerge as potential contenders as Democrats look beyond the 2026 midterms.
