Ossoff wins Georgia 2026 Senate election, CBS projects a key Democratic hold

A closely watched Georgia race

Ossoff, 39, won reelection against Collins, 59, who has represented Georgia in the House since 2023. Republicans had targeted the seat as they tried to maintain control of the Senate.

Georgia had shifted toward the right during the previous election, and the contest was once considered Republicans’ easiest pickup opportunity. Ossoff was ahead in polls heading into election night and had raised substantial campaign funds.

Collins faced campaign challenges

Collins won the Republican nomination in June after a runoff. The trucking business owner sought to portray Ossoff as disconnected from Georgian values. His campaign also faced questions about people in his circle. A former staffer reportedly shared Nazi and KKK images on social media, while Collins’ closeness to President Trump was viewed as an advantage for Ossoff.

Democrats retain a key seat

Ossoff first won a Senate seat in 2021, when he helped Democrats secure one of two runoff victories in Georgia. In this election, he was the state’s sole Democratic senator seeking reelection. The projected result preserves a key Democratic seat and leaves the party’s path to a Senate majority open.