local
Ossoff kicks off Rome canvass as Senate race sharpens focus on Trump speech, Collins controversy
By Abby Kousouris at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 17, 2026
· 2 min read
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff kicked off a canvassing push Friday in Rome, using a stop in one of Georgia’s most Republican areas to respond to President Donald Trump’s primetime speech and to press his GOP opponent, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, on new controversy.Ossoff met...
Key takeaway Jon Ossoff kicked off a canvassing push Friday in Rome, using a stop in one of Georgia’s most Republican areas to respond to President Donald Trump’s primetime speech and to press his GOP opponent, U.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
As the Senate race between Ossoff and Collins heats up, Atlanta voters will be watching closely to see how the candidates' messages resonate in different parts of the state. Ossoff's decision to kick off his canvassing push in Rome, a heavily Republican area, suggests he is attempting to make inroads with conservative voters. However, Collins' strong stance on election security and his criticism of Ossoff's liberal base may still appeal to many in this region. The controversy surrounding Collins' son-in-law and the white nationalist and antisemitic content tied to him may also impact the campaign's dynamics in the Atlanta area, where many voters place a high value on tolerance and inclusivity. As the campaign season progresses, it will be important to see how these issues play out in local forums and debates, and how they influence the decisions of Atlanta's diverse electorate.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Atlanta stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff kicked off a canvassing push Friday in Rome, using a stop in one of Georgia’s most Republican areas to respond to President Donald Trump’s primetime speech and to press his GOP opponent, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, on new controversy.Ossoff met...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Abby Kousouris at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter