Republican Mayors in Georgia Endorse Jon Ossoff Over Mike Collins

<figure><img alt="Senator Jon Ossoff questions Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen during the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing titled “The Financial Stability Oversight Council Annual Report to Congress,” in Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.,U.S., May 10, 2022. Tom Williams/Pool via REUTERS" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/LSMQIBA5Z5F43BN5QQFGARUJTY.JPG?auth=ae13192276c7ee23e13bb300e3e1c5be5e6c9ff2e3c3679b025165eab4cd04e2&amp;smart=true&amp;width=5500&amp;height=3094" /><figcaption>POOL / REUTERS</figcaption></figure><p>Several Republican mayors in Georgia have endorsed Jon Ossoff, a Democratic candidate, over the Trump-endorsed Republican candidate, Mike Collins, as the race for the U.S. Senate seat intensifies. This information was reported by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/29/us/politics/georgia-senate-ossoff-collins-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.91A.jUn1.t-oYjSRHc2I8&amp;smid=nytcore-ios-share" rel="">The New York Times</a>.</p><p>Mayors Gail Fry of Toccoa, James Matheson of Valdosta, and Julie Smith of Tifton have publicly expressed their support for Ossoff. Fry, who represents a city with a population of less than 10,000, noted that she previously voted against Ossoff but has seen significant changes since then.</p><p>“We have gotten more support from Sen. Ossoff than any other office that we’ve contacted,” Fry stated, referencing an $8.4 million federal grant he secured for natural gas infrastructure. “He calls us and says, ‘What do you need?’”</p><p>Smith echoed similar sentiments, stating, “I don’t have to track him down. He tracks me down. He’s been very good to South Georgia, and in my nonpartisan role as mayor, I have to look to someone who takes care of their constituents. I’m a Republican, but there are times when a person exceeds the party. They go above and beyond.”</p><p>Matheson, who identifies as a “hard-core conservative,” also expressed his support for Ossoff, saying, “I will take heat for this endorsement, and it doesn’t matter. There’s no way I can turn my back on this relationship.” He added, “The voters put me in here to do a job, and that man has been absolutely incredible.”</p><p>These endorsements are seen as a setback for Trump, who has consistently supported Collins and criticized Ossoff. Trump previously stated, “Mike is strongly supported by the most Highly Respected MAGA Patriots in Georgia and beyond, and many Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate — He is a WARRIOR and WINNER!” in a post from June.</p><p>Trump has also made derogatory remarks about Ossoff, referring to him with disparaging nicknames. In one instance, he compared Ossoff’s appearance to that of the character Pee-wee Herman.</p><p>Ossoff's appeal extends beyond Republican mayors, as online prediction markets indicate he is among the top contenders for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.</p>