Vulnerable Dem senator’s ‘grassroots’ campaign powered by out-of-state cash, mostly by coastal elites
In a politically charged atmosphere ahead of the upcoming elections, Georgia Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff finds himself in a precarious position as he seeks re-election. Described by CNN as the “most endangered Senate Democrat,” Ossoff’s campaign has raised eyebrows due to its heavy reliance on out-of-state funding. Recent Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings reveal that over 80% of the funds raised during the last quarter came from donors outside Georgia. Notably, a significant portion of these contributions—over half of his maxed-out donors—originated from California, New York, and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. This trend echoes Ossoff’s previous election cycle, where he similarly garnered 60% of his contributions from beyond state lines, raising questions about local support for his candidacy.
Despite these concerns, Ossoff’s campaign has sought to present a narrative of grassroots strength, claiming to have raised $12 million from approximately 233,000 donors during the third quarter, with an average contribution of just $36. However, the stark reality remains that a substantial portion of his funding is coming from affluent donors in major metropolitan areas, further complicating his image as a candidate deeply rooted in Georgia’s local interests. The recent filings indicate that California alone accounted for about 20% of his total donations during this period, while Georgia contributed only 17.5%. This disparity is particularly significant among maxed-out donors, where California, New York, and Massachusetts far outpaced Georgia, highlighting potential vulnerabilities as Ossoff faces a competitive challenge from Republican candidates, including newcomer Dooley, who is leveraging strong support for former President Trump.
As Ossoff navigates the political landscape, GOP strategists suggest he may be reluctant to take stances that could alienate his liberal donor base, particularly in light of recent government shutdown debates. The fear of losing crucial funding may limit his ability to appeal to moderate voters, as he grapples with the need to maintain support from both national funders and local constituents. With the election looming and a highly polarized political environment, Ossoff’s reliance on out-of-state money could become a focal point in his campaign narrative, potentially affecting his chances in a state that swung narrowly for Trump in the last election. As the race heats up, all eyes will be on Ossoff to see how he balances these pressures while attempting to secure his position in the Senate.
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FIRST ON FOX:
Georgia Democratic Sen.
Jon Ossoff,
described by CNN as the nation’s “most endangered Senate Democrat,” has touted “an unstoppable grassroots coalition.” But, according to the latest Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings released, his campaign is being propped up by a lot of out-of-state money.
Ossoff’s latest quarterly filing shows that more than 80% of the money he raised last period came from out-of-state donors. The report, which details contributions from individuals who have given at least $200 this cycle, also reveals that over half of his maxed-out donors hail from California, New York or the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia region.
After the release of an October filing, Ossoff’s team touted in a press release that, in the face of “heavy spending from GOP Super PACs,” it raised $12 million during the last third-quarter filing period that runs from July 1 through Sept. 30.
The same press release said Ossoff’s “re-election juggernaut” was “overwhelmingly” powered by small donors with an average of $36 from approximately 233,000 donors. If a donor has not given an aggregate of at least $200, that donor’s contribution remains undisclosed in FEC filings.
NATIONAL DEMS BANKROLL CAMPAIGN OF ‘FAKE INDEPENDENT’ SENATE CANDIDATE FROM MIDWESTERN STATE
Ossoff is running for re-election in a state Trump won in 2024, albeit by a thin two-point margin. He first arrived in
Congress
in 2021 after defeating incumbent Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., in a razor-thin election that required a runoff. During that first election cycle, according to The Washington Free Beacon, Ossoff raised 60% of his contributions from outside the state of Georgia.
According to Ossoff’s recent October FEC filing, California is leading the pack in terms of the most donations to his campaign during the third quarter, totaling about 20% of all donations. Georgia is second with about 17.5%.
But when it comes to donors who have maxed out their contribution limits, more of those political donors came from California (33.3%) New York (15.65%) and Massachusetts (10.8%) than from Georgia, which accounted for only 6.1% of maxed-out donors who contributed to Ossoff in the third quarter.
REPUBLICAN DOOLEY JUMPS INTO GEORGIA’S SENATE RACE WHILE TOUTING SUPPORT FOR TRUMP AND TAKING AIM AT OSSOFF
Given Ossoff’s vulnerability heading into Election Day, GOP strategists and Senate sources say the Georgia Democrat is unlikely to break with his party to vote for
reopening the government,
fearing it could cost him crucial support from liberal donors nationwide.
“There is no middle ground for him when it comes to these big decisions that have to be made, and I think the shutdown proves that,” Ryan Mahoney, a Georgia-based GOP strategist who has worked with Republican senators in the state told The Washington Examiner.
“His calculus is, ‘Do I vote to open the government up and get crushed and can’t raise a single dollar of low-dollar money, or do I vote to shut the government down and get $3 million [from online fundraising]?’” a Democratic Party insider also told The Hill.
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Ossoff’s campaign declined to comment when reached for this article.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
