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Georgia

Georgia Jewish Voters Weigh Ossoff, Collins Race

Jewish voters in Georgia cast ballots between Democrat Jon Ossoff and Republican Mike Collins in a Senate contest shaped by Israel policy.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Judaism

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a simplified ballot box silhouette above a pine-line horizon, evoking a contested Georgia Senate choice.
Jewish voters in Georgia are weighing a Senate contest between Democrat Jon Ossoff and Republican Mike Collins, with Ossoff's 2024 vote on Israel arms sales dividing the community. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should the U.S. keep sending current levels of military aid to Israel?

Georgia Jewish voters went to the polls to choose between Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff and Republican U.S. Representative Mike Collins. Ossoff's votes on restricting arms sales to Israel have divided the state's Jewish electorate.

Why it matters

Ossoff's 2024 vote against certain offensive weapons sales to Israel drew sharp criticism from some Jewish voters and pro-Israel groups. The contest shows how U.S. foreign policy on Israel is becoming a central issue for Jewish voters in key battleground states.

J Street spent $3 million on advertising attacking Collins and other AIPAC-backed Republicans. Ossoff voted in 2024, 2025 and 2026 to block sales of rifles, bulldozers and 1,000-pound bombs to Israel, while the final vote tally is not reported.

The players

Jon Ossoff

Jon Ossoff is a Democratic U.S. senator from Georgia who has said he has zero interest in running for president.

Mike Collins

Mike Collins is a Republican U.S. representative from Georgia who presents himself as a pro-Israel candidate.

AIPAC

AIPAC is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobbying group that ran advertising against Ossoff and other senators who backed the 2024 bill.

J Street

J Street is a liberal pro-Israel advocacy organization that spent $3 million on ads attacking Collins and other AIPAC-supported Republicans.

The details

Ossoff and Collins held two debates during the campaign, and Ossoff was pressed on Gaza during an October 8 exchange. Atlanta Jewish leaders, including over 100 signatories, circulated a letter supporting Ossoff's vote, while a former Collins staffer allegedly posted a swastika and a Ku Klux Klan robe online.

Timeline

  1. November 2024: Ossoff voted to block offensive weapons sales to Israel.

  2. October 8: Ossoff and Collins debated, with Gaza questions raised.

  3. 2025 and 2026: Ossoff backed further measures restricting Israeli arms sales.

  4. November 3, 2026: Georgia Jewish voters went to the polls.

Season Trajectory

The 2024 Senate bill restricting offensive weapons to Israel has become a litmus test for Jewish voters in Georgia's Senate race. The contest tests whether Israel policy will shape Jewish voting patterns across battleground states.

Georgia voters weighing Israel policy must consider each candidate's record on arms sales and related Senate votes. The race shows how foreign policy votes can directly shape a candidate's support among Jewish constituents.

The takeaway

Voters evaluating Senate candidates should review each candidate's recorded votes on foreign policy, not only campaign statements. Looking at specific bills and their outcomes gives a clearer picture than advertising alone.

Further reading

For more on how faith communities approach politics, explore Judaism coverage.

Live Poll

Should the U.S. keep sending current levels of military aid to Israel?