Republican mayors from Georgia’s deep-red southern region are breaking with their party to support Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) over GOP nominee Rep. Mike Collins in the race for the Peach State’s Senate seat.
Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson and Tifton Mayor Julie Smith lead municipalities in Georgia’s 8th Congressional District, represented by Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA). Both mayors consider themselves Republicans, but told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Ossoff’s willingness to help their towns thrive is too big to ignore.
“I look at the record, and his record to improve the businesses and communities in my region speaks to me louder than whether I’m a Republican or a Democrat,” Smith said. “The proof is in the pudding.”
In Tifton, Ossoff secured funding for the University of Georgia’s local campus, as well as Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, and Tift Regional Medical Center. Smith said Ossoff is ready to communicate with constituents, noting that she doesn’t have to “track him down” when she needs something.
“He’s been very good to South Georgia, and in my nonpartisan role as mayor, I have to look to someone who takes care of their constituents,” she said. “I’m a Republican, but there are times when a person exceeds the party. They go above and beyond.”
Matheson said he considers himself a “hard-core conservative” and hosts a conservative radio show. He explained that his friendship with Ossoff began after a “standoffish” meeting with the senator.
However, their relationship quickly grew as Ossoff helped bring federal funding to Matheson’s corner of Georgia. Matheson also championed Ossoff for being the first politician to have boots on the ground after a deadly hurricane.
“The voters put me in here to do a job, and that man has been absolutely incredible,” Matheson said.
Support from leaders in areas that heavily favored President Donald Trump and are backing other GOP candidates in the state, including Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson, gives Ossoff a significant edge over Collins.
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Collins has the support of Trump and the president’s loyalists, but he still needs to unite Georgia’s GOP voter base. Ossoff has a massive cash advantage over Collins, who faced a bruising primary race. Additionally, Ossoff’s support from Smith and Matheson opens the door for the Democrat to argue he can work across party lines.
A recent AARP poll placed Ossoff in the lead by a 9-point margin, and Cook Political Report rates the race as leaning Democratic.