Ossoff, Bottoms rally Savannah supporters ahead of November election

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms spoke to more than a thousand supporters at Kehoe Iron Works in Savannah on Saturday, calling for Democratic unity while targeting their Republican opponents ahead of the November general election.

The rally

Saturday’s event marked the first major campaign event of Ossoff’s re-election bid. Two Georgia residents opened the rally by sharing personal stories with the crowd — one centered on health care insecurity, another on the struggles of a small business owner facing rising tariffs — before the candidates took the stage.

Ossoff focused his remarks on affordability, government accountability and unity.

“Let’s make sure they will hear it all the way down in Mar-a-Lago, that Georgia will bow to no king,” Ossoff said.

He also addressed what he described as the foundation of American identity.

“Our national greatness flows not through our blood or our genes, but through our ideas and our caring for one another,” Ossoff said.

Ossoff targets Collins

Ossoff addressed the Trump administration, Iran war and the Epstein files before turning to his own record during his first term in the Senate. He then directed sharp criticism at his opponent, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins.

“Mike Collins is a bigot and an antisemite under federal investigation for the illegal misuse of taxpayer dollars, widely known as a man of poor character who lacks the judgement and integrity to serve in the United States Senate,” Ossoff said.

Collins has denied allegations related to the federal investigation into alleged misuse of government funds.

Bottoms joins the stage

Bottoms, a fifth-generation Georgian, highlighted her career as a judge and former mayor of Atlanta. She described her background as a working-class child raised by a single mother as central to her candidacy.

Bottoms faces health care CEO and billionaire Rick Jackson in the race for governor.

“While I’ve spent my career serving the people of Georgia as a judge and as a mayor, Rick Jackson has been making a profit off of the people of Georgia,” Bottoms said. “His fortune is filled in part with your tax dollars.”

Jackson’s campaign released a statement ahead of Saturday’s rally pushing back on Bottoms’ record as Atlanta’s mayor.

“Keisha Lance Bottoms raised fees, drove up housing costs, and let violent crime explode in Atlanta. Then, she saved herself by abandoning the city she swore to protect,” the statement said. “Rick Jackson is running to put others first and fight for all 11 million Georgians. He is the self-made outsider who’ll do what she couldn’t. Rick will lower your costs, freeze property taxes, expand access to quality and affordable healthcare, and ensure law enforcement has the support they need to keep Georgians safe.”

Together, Ossoff and Bottoms vowed to lower the cost of living, protect voting rights and secure health care and child care across the state.

“Team-work makes the dream work,” Bottoms said. “Imagine what we can accomplish with a governor and two United States senators.”

Supporters respond

Rally-goers said Ossoff and Bottoms gave voice to Georgians’ main concerns. Erwin Bligen drove four and a half hours from Lithonia to attend. He said the size of the crowd sent its own message to lawmakers.

“Everyone who’s here is showing them that they need to run, they need to hide, because we are coming out in numbers,” Bligen said.

Bligen said the atmosphere inside Kehoe Iron Works made the trip worthwhile.

“It was a big party in there, it felt good, and that was worth the four and a half hour drive,” he said.

Looking ahead

Ossoff and Bottoms are campaigning together under what they describe as a “United for Georgia” effort. Rally-goers said both candidates addressed their concerns and needs and that they look forward to casting their votes in November.

The Georgia general election is Nov. 3. Voters will choose the state’s next U.S. senator and governor.