Georgia U.S. Senate debate live updates: Collins, Ossoff face off
Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins is challenging incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff as he seeks a second term in the U.S. Senate.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and his Republican challenger, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, will share the stage for the first time Thursday night as they battle for one of Georgia’s U.S. Senate seats.
Hosted by Atlanta News First, the debate starts at 7 p.m. It’s the first of two between Collins and Ossoff. They will meet again at an Atlanta Press Club debate on Tuesday.
Ossoff has held a steady lead in public opinion polls and has a sizable fundraising edge.
Collins is aiming to change the race’s momentum as the midterm campaign hurtles toward the finish line.
Advance in-person voting starts Oct. 13. The election is Nov. 3.
The debate after the debate
There's the debate, and then there's what happens after the debate.
On Tuesday, Democratic nominee for governor Keisha Lance Bottoms surprised even some of her own aides by showing up in the spin room after her showdown with Republican Rick Jackson.
Don't expect Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff to follow suit tonight. But Republican challenger Mike Collins is eager to shake up the race, and he could deliver an impromptu closing argument of his own after the hourlong debate is over.
Missed the governor's debate? Catch up here
On Tuesday, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson met in what is likely to be their only debate in the race for governor.
Catch up with our coverage from that face off, also hosted by Atlanta News First.
What we'll be watching for tonight
If the rhetoric from the television ads and the campaign trail is any guide, tonight's debate between Republican Mike Collins and Democrat Jon Ossoff may be a slugfest.
Ossoff has called his Republican rival a “notorious bigot, antisemite and extremist currently under federal investigation for the illegal misuse of tax dollars.”
Collins has labeled Ossoff a "trust fund kid" and framed the race as “common sense vs. communism crazy people."
How low will they go? That's one of the things we'll be looking for tonight as the two square off. Read more HERE.
Who will be asking the questions?
Tonight's debate will be moderated by Atlanta News First anchor Rick Folbaum.
A panel of journalists from Gray Media stations throughout Georgia will question Republican Mike Collins and Democrat Jon Ossoff.
They are:
- Abby Kousouris, WANF/Gray Georgia statewide reporter.
- Roslyn Giles, evening anchor for WTVM in Columbus.
- Will Rioux, evening anchor and investigative reporter for WRDW in Augusta.
- Mike Cihla, evening anchor for WTOC in Savannah.
- Moriah Norman, evening anchor and reporter for WALB in Albany.
- Adhemar Montagne, evening anchor for Telemundo Atlanta.
How to watch the U.S. Senate debate
Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins will face off against Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff at 7 p.m. on Atlanta News First.
Watch live on Gray Media stations statewide or stream on Atlanta News First.
But also stay with the AJC. Our team of experienced journalists have been providing unparalleled coverage of the races in Georgia and will be weighing in with real-time highlights and analysis. You can get even more insights on the AJC’s “Politically Georgia” podcast and YouTube channel.
Tonight's debate will be one of two between Collins and Ossoff. They have also agreed to take part in a debate Tuesday, hosted by the Atlanta Press Club.