Facing a tough reelection in battleground Georgia, Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff has announced a record-breaking fundraising haul of $11 million in the first quarter of 2025. This impressive sum, the largest ever raised by an incumbent in an off-year quarter, demonstrates Ossoff’s strong support and sets the stage for a competitive campaign ahead.
Ossoff, who is 38 years old and serving his first term in the Senate, expressed gratitude to his supporters, stating, “I’m grateful to the hundreds of thousands of record-shattering supporters who have already joined what will be the biggest and most relentless turnout effort in Georgia history.”
The campaign revealed that the average donation during the quarter was $32, with contributions coming from 260,000 individual donors, including over 155,000 first-time donors. Impressively, donations were received from 156 of Georgia’s 159 counties, showcasing Ossoff’s broad base of support across the state.
While Ossoff’s early fundraising success may dissuade potential GOP challengers, it is expected that overall spending in the race will be substantial. The 2022 Senate race in Georgia, won by Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, saw over $515 million spent by campaigns and outside groups, according to OpenSecrets.
The Republican nomination in Georgia hinges on the decision of Governor Brian Kemp, who has yet to announce his intentions. Several other Republicans have expressed interest in the race but have indicated they will only run if Kemp does not enter the race.
Ossoff is one of a few vulnerable Democratic incumbents seeking reelection, with Senators Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Gary Peters of Michigan opting not to run. Ossoff has already begun campaigning, hosting a rally in Atlanta in late March alongside Senator Warnock.
Georgia has been a key battleground state in recent elections, with significant amounts of money pouring into campaigns. In the 2020-2022 election cycle, a total of $1.4 billion was spent in Georgia by campaigns, super PACs, and other outside groups, according to a New York Times analysis.
With President Donald Trump carrying the state by a narrow margin in the previous election, Republicans are eyeing Georgia as a top priority in the upcoming midterms, setting the stage for a heated and closely watched Senate race in 2025.
