Veteran Criticizes Ossoff in New Campaign Ad
A new advertisement features veteran Al Lipphardt questioning Jon Ossoff's record on military funding.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Military
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The campaign for Mike Collins released a digital advertisement featuring Purple Heart Vietnam veteran Al Lipphardt. In the spot, Lipphardt criticizes Senator Jon Ossoff for voting against an appropriations bill while allegedly claiming credit for its provisions.
Why it matters
The ad aims to challenge Senator Ossoff's record among military voters ahead of the upcoming Georgia U.S. Senate election. The dispute centers on whether Ossoff's opposition to the final bill contradicts his public stance on supporting veterans.
The appropriations bill passed on November 12, 2025, and included funding for Fort Benning school construction and Fort Stewart infrastructure improvements. The 2026 military construction budget for Georgia represents the highest total in 15 years.
The players
Al Lipphardt
He is a Purple Heart Vietnam veteran and the chair of the Veterans for Mike coalition residing in Stone Mountain.
Jon Ossoff
He is the senior Democrat on the Military Construction subcommittee and an incumbent senator seeking re-election.
Mike Collins
He is a political candidate whose campaign produced and released the digital advertisement featuring Lipphardt.
The details
Al Lipphardt, who chairs the Veterans for Mike coalition, specifically calls out Ossoff for opposing the final appropriations bill that included military pay raises. The critique targets the perceived gap between Ossoff's role as a senior Democrat on the Military Construction subcommittee and his legislative voting record.
Timeline
March 2025: Al Lipphardt attended President Trump's Joint Address to Congress.
November 12, 2025: The appropriations bill passed without Jon Ossoff's support.
July 2026: Fox News Digital inquired about Ossoff's voting record.
November 3, 2026: The date of the Georgia U.S. Senate election.
Political Context
The ad highlights the contentious nature of the 2025 Military Construction Appropriations Act, using the bill's passage to frame the election debate. Opposition figures argue that opposing the final legislative vehicle invalidates a member's claims of support for military installations.
Voters should be aware that the dispute directly impacts the perceived support for infrastructure projects at Fort Benning and Fort Stewart. The outcome of this election will determine which candidate's approach to legislative funding holds sway in future defense budget allocations.
The takeaway
This advertisement underscores how complex appropriations bills are leveraged in high-stakes Senate races to attack a candidate's legislative record. Voters may want to review the full text of the November 12, 2025, bill to understand exactly what projects were included beyond the campaign talking points.
Further reading
For more on the state's defense spending and political discourse, visit the Georgia Military section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Breitbart.
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