Ossoff kicks off Rome canvass as Senate race sharpens focus on Trump speech, Collins controversy

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff kicked off a canvassing push Friday in Rome, using a stop in one of Georgia’s most Republican areas to respond to President Donald Trump’s primetime speech and to press his GOP opponent, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, on new controversy.

Ossoff met with Democrats and volunteers at the Democratic Party of Georgia’s coordinated campaign field office in Rome before sending canvassers out to knock on doors for Democrats up and down the ballot, according to the Democratic Party of Georgia.

Ossoff criticized Trump’s Thursday night speech, which revisited claims about the 2020 election.

“I thought it was a really disappointing presidential display. Deeply irresponsible,” Ossoff said.

Ossoff also pointed to rising costs for families.

“All-time record high prices for rent, groceries, and healthcare,” he said.

Ossoff then turned to Collins after CNN reported on white nationalist and antisemitic content tied to Collins’ son-in-law, who lives on Collins’ property.

“This is serious stuff,” Ossoff said.

A spokesperson for Collins said the congressman “has always condemned all forms of antisemitism, including this, and always will regardless of the source.”

“Collins’ lifelong support for Israel and the Jewish people is guided by his personal beliefs and backed by his consistent voting record,” the spokesperson said.

In a separate statement, a Collins spokesperson criticized Ossoff’s campaign and framed the race as a contrast between the two candidates.

“It’s refreshing to see Ossoff actually meeting with his constituents instead of bowing down to coastal billionaire donors and radical activists who want to defund the police, allow men into women’s domestic violence shelters, and leave our southern border unguarded,” the spokesperson said. “In November, voters will see the difference between Mike Collins’ record of true bipartisan leadership and Jon Ossoff’s record of putting his liberal activist base ahead of Georgians.”

Collins also leaned into election security messaging, posting support for voter ID and the SAVE America Act and writing that “our right to free and secure elections should be protected relentlessly.” He also wrote that “eighty-three percent of Americans support voter ID.”