Poll: Georgia U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff emerges as early 2028 presidential contender

Graham Cawthon

ATLANTA —

Above file video: At Brunswick rally, Ossoff focuses on Collins as bitter Senate race intensifies

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia is emerging as an early contender in hypothetical 2028 presidential matchups, according to a new national poll from Emerson College.

Ossoff, who is challenged by Georgia Republican Congressman Mike Collins in November’s general election, received 13% support in a test of potential Democratic primary candidates, tying U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York for third place. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg led the field with 19%, followed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom at 17%.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris received 8%, while Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear had 7% and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro received 5%.

Ossoff leads Vance and Rubio

Ossoff performed well when voters were asked about possible general election contests against the two leading Republican prospects tested in the survey: Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

In a race against Vance, Ossoff led 49% to 44%, a 5-point advantage. Against Rubio, Ossoff was ahead 47% to 44%, giving him a narrower 3-point lead.

That placed Ossoff among the strongest Democratic candidates tested. Buttigieg led both Vance and Rubio by 5 points. Newsom also led both Republicans, although his advantage narrowed against Rubio.

An early snapshot, not a forecast

The poll offers an early look at a presidential election that remains more than two years away. The candidate fields are hypothetical, and voter preferences could change considerably before the 2028 primaries begin.

Still, the findings give Ossoff an encouraging national starting point. Although he trails Buttigieg and Newsom in the Democratic contest, he performs competitively against both leading Republicans included in the poll.

The Emerson College Polling survey was conducted Aug. 16-17 among 1,000 likely U.S. voters. The overall sample had a credibility interval, similar to a poll’s margin of error, of plus or minus 3 percentage points.