Georgia US Senate race: Ossoff again campaigning in overtime

Georgia US Senate race: Ossoff again campaigning in overtime

SeattlePI.com

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ATLANTA (AP) — Though still chasing his first victory, Jon Ossoff is no stranger to the pressure of campaigning in overtime — this time for one of two crucial U.S. Senate seats that will determine control of the chamber.

The experience is like deja vu for the millennial Democrat from Atlanta, who shattered fundraising records and forced his way into a runoff for a U.S. House seat in 2017 that was closely watched as an early referendum on President Donald Trump.

Ossoff ran a formidable campaign even while being mocked by Republicans as a lightweight unqualified to occupy the seat once held by Republican Newt Gingrich. But he ultimately lost, dashing Democrats' hopes for a win in the early months of the Trump era. Those who felt let down didn't hold back their criticism: Ossoff's centrist message failed to inspire progressives. He didn't attack Republicans hard enough on key issues like health care. He fell short of giving people a clear reason to vote for him.

Just three years later, Ossoff has returned for another campaign cliffhanger. He faces Republican Sen. David Perdue on Jan. 5, when both of Georgia's GOP senators are on runoff ballots in elections that will decide control of the Senate.

At age 33, Ossoff will become the Senate's youngest member if elected. While he's sharpened his attacks and gained confidence in front of a microphone, he insists his biggest improvement has been building on the “volunteer army” of thousands who during his first run for office went door-to-door to turn out voters and fueled his campaign with small donations.

“The lesson that I learned is about the power of ordinary people, well organized and passionately committed to making change, to build power,” Ossoff said in an interview. “And the infrastructure that we built in that campaign has been of lasting value.”

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