ATLANTA — Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins traded sharp personal attacks Thursday night in their first debate of Georgia closely watched Senate race, then split along predictable lines on tariffs, health care and the war with Iran.
The hourlong live debate was broadcast statewide and covered immigration, the economy, tariffs, energy and economic development. Ossoff opened by accusing Collins of ties to white nationalist figures and content. Collins said he has condemned racism, antisemitism and hate, and countered that Ossoff has supported people he described as hostile to Israel.
On the economy, Collins defended President Donald Trump tariffs and argued they will ultimately help American manufacturing, while blaming inflation on policies backed by former President Joe Biden and Ossoff. Ossoff said the tariffs have hurt Georgia families, small businesses and agriculture, and vowed to repeal them if Democrats win the Senate majority.
Health care drew another split. Ossoff pointed to federal health spending cuts passed in 2025 and 2026 and said budget analysts had warned they would raise premiums and force rural hospitals to cut services. Collins pushed a free-market approach and argued that government control drives up prices.
Collins backed the president decision to enter the war with Iran. Ossoff said the eight-month war has cost American lives and driven up fuel prices, and said he would support ending it. Asked about data centers, Collins said he would help communities that want them and those that do not, while Ossoff stressed the importance of the Port of Savannah.
The debate came less than a week before early voting begins. Neither campaign attended the post-debate news conference. The two candidates are scheduled to meet again in another debate next week.
