Georgia Senate rivals Ossoff and Collins clash on tariffs, healthcare in first debate
The first U.S. Senate debate between Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff and Republican challenger Rep. Mike Collins was held Thursday night in Georgia. In the hour-long debate hosted by Atlanta News First and Gray Media, with journalists from across the state posing questions, the candidates sparred over the economy, healthcare, data centers, tariffs, border security, and the war in Iran.
Tariff policy emerged as a flashpoint. Ossoff argued that Democrats would repeal President Trump's tariffs if they regain control of the Senate, and blamed the conflict in Iran for driving up gasoline prices. Collins defended the tariffs, stating they create a level playing field with nations like China, and attributed rising consumer costs to the economic policies of former President Joe Biden.
Healthcare policy was another central battleground. Ossoff pledged that Democrats would reverse Medicaid cuts established through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and pointed to a hospital in Collins' district that shut down its labor and delivery unit — noting that mothers in the area must now drive an hour to access care. Collins countered by highlighting the Act's rural health program, which he said added $218 million as a first-year allocation to Georgia's rural hospitals, and blamed the Affordable Care Act, signed into law in 2010, for rising healthcare costs — citing a 62 percent increase in his own insurance premiums during its first year.
The debate also featured personal attacks. Ossoff accused Collins of supporting efforts to overturn the 2020 election and criticized him for not supporting the SAVE Act; Collins has previously stated he believes the 2020 election was stolen. Ossoff characterized Collins as bringing dishonor to the state through personal bigotry and ties to white nationalists.
The Georgia Senate race is viewed as a key battleground for control of the upper chamber. Prognosticators including Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball have shifted predictions to favor an Ossoff win in recent weeks. Some Republicans have suggested moving campaign resources to other states, though the Collins campaign denies any diversion, citing million-dollar ad buys from Senate Republicans.
Ossoff and Collins are scheduled to meet again Tuesday, Oct. 13, for the Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate Series. Early voting in Georgia also begins Tuesday, Oct. 13, with Election Day on Nov. 3.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: DXR 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0（Wikimedia Commons）
