Former President Barack Obama is throwing his support behind two prominent Georgia Democrats, endorsing Keisha Lance Bottoms for governor and U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff for reelection as the state prepares for the November 2026 midterm elections.
Obama announced the endorsements through campaign videos released Thursday, October 8, adding his national profile to two closely watched races that could have significant implications for Georgia’s political future.
In his message supporting Bottoms, the former president praised her public service record as Atlanta’s former mayor, a city council member and a judge. He highlighted her work with young people, pay raises for police officers and firefighters, and efforts to balance Atlanta’s budget without raising taxes.
Obama also pointed to Bottoms’ campaign priorities, including lowering costs for families, expanding Medicaid, strengthening rural hospitals and allowing communities to eliminate grocery taxes. Her proposals also include guaranteeing pre-kindergarten for every four-year-old, a policy Obama highlighted in his endorsement.
Bottoms, the Democratic nominee for governor, is set to face Republican nominee Rick Jackson in November. The contest comes as Georgia remains a closely watched battleground in national politics.
Obama also endorsed Ossoff, Georgia’s incumbent Democratic senator, who is seeking another term against Republican U.S. Representative Mike Collins. In the endorsement message, Obama emphasized voting rights, civil rights and the need to build an economy that works for all Americans.
The Senate contest is especially significant for Democrats as they seek to strengthen their position in Congress. Ossoff is the only Democratic senator defending a seat this year in a state that President Donald Trump carried in the 2024 presidential election.
Obama’s latest endorsements are part of a broader effort to support Democratic candidates ahead of the midterms. His participation gives the campaigns a high-profile voice as candidates work to reach voters and build momentum before Election Day on November 3.
With early voting in Georgia scheduled to begin October 13, the endorsements arrive at a critical point in the campaign season. Both races are expected to draw continued national attention as voters weigh the candidates’ records, policy proposals and visions for the state and country.
