'Not running for president in 2028.' Why Ossoff doubles down amid rumors

Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff is running for reelection in Georgia.

The congressman is up against U.S. House Representative Mike Collins, who won a runoff race against former college football coach Derek Dooley for the Republican nomination. Collins was endorsed by President Trump just days before the runoff, and has been a promoter of the 2020 election denial message and strong MAGA ally in Georgia.

As Ossoff has turned up the heat in what is expected to be a tight and contentious race that could decide control of the Senate, pundits and voters alike have asked him the same question — is there going to be a 2028 presidential run?

Ossoff has denied short-term dreams of the White House before, but as the eyes of the nation look on Georgia's midterm elections, he's speaking to his ambitions again.

'He's their new Obama,' Laura Ingraham says

Following a recent campaign stop in Savannah, Georgia, clips of Ossoff's speech have been circulating online both in liberal and conservative spheres.

Ossoff spoke out against Collins, whom he has accused of corruption on multiple occasions, and said "a wave is building" against the Trump Administration heading into November.

"The kind of wave that comes once a generation when people have been pushed too far and they decide all at once, all together, that enough is enough," Ossoff said. "We have the power not just to restore checks and balances, but to rebuke these abuses of power with such power and decision that no president dares try anything like this again for a century."

A clip of the speech was shared by FOX News host and conservative personality Laura Ingraham on X.

"He's their new Obama," she said.

Former President Barack Obama was known for his skills as an orator and served just one term as a U.S. Senator before running for president. He had previously served in the Illinois State Senate. Obama also denied that he was running for president before announcing his bid, often citing the age of his two daughters, Sasha and Malia, who would later go on to grow up in the White House.

In Ossoff's previous comments, he has also noted he has young children, but largely remains focused on Georgia races when denying 2028 rumors.

Others have pointed to other similarities between the two politicians, from their relative young age (at the time of a possible presidential run), their fast rise in Democratic politics and the "O" logos in their election campaigns.

Ossoff adamant he's 'not running' in 2028

Speaking to Manu Raju, with CNN, Ossoff once again set the record straight on any presidential ambitions.

Ossoff reiterated his focus on the battleground race, and said issues like who could lead the Senate under a Democratic majority could be flushed out later.

"The buzz is out there about you and 2028, I know you don't like to talk about it, you want to focus on this race. What do you say though to people that are talking about you in 2028. Is that something that you've ruled out?" Raju asked the Senator.

"Let me reiterate," Ossoff responded. "I am not running for president in 2028. I have no interest in running for president in 2028. I am laser focused on this Senate race in Georgia."

Irene Wright covers midterm elections in Georgia as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at [email protected].