U.S. Senate news has Democrats closing up shop

Sen. Jon Ossof

The end is in sight for Democrats. They’re in huge trouble with no way out.

Because this huge U.S. Senate news has Democrats closing up shop.

The Democrats are already finding themselves behind the eight ball after their horrible show in the 2024 elections cycle. If they were hoping that it would just be a regular up and down cycle, which is normal for party politics, that doesn’t appear to be the case. The newest reports show Democrats are in huge trouble of being irrelevant for years and, potentially, decades to come.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp Leads Sen. Jon Ossoff in 2026 Senate Race, New Poll Shows

A brand new poll indicates that Republican Governor Brian Kemp holds a solid lead over incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff. Conducted by the GOP-aligned Tyson Group and first shared with reporters at The Daily Caller, the survey reveals a promising prospect for Republicans in the upcoming contest.

According to the poll, in a head-to-head matchup, Kemp leads Ossoff by a margin of 49% to 42%, with 8% of likely voters still undecided. The two-term governor enjoys a significant 14-point net favorability advantage over Ossoff, which further strengthens the GOP’s optimism about his potential candidacy. The survey, which sampled 600 likely Georgia general election voters, was conducted between January 30 and January 31, 2025.

Georgia’s 2026 Senate race is shaping up to be one of the most critical contests for Senate Republicans as they aim to expand their 53-47 seat majority during the next midterm elections. Kemp, who is seen as a formidable candidate by many within the GOP, is considered a prime contender to challenge Ossoff’s re-election bid. His popularity, bolstered by his successful governance, makes him a strong choice to potentially flip the seat from blue to red.

The poll also explored other hypothetical matchups between Ossoff and several high-profile Georgia Republicans, including Representatives Buddy Carter and Marjorie Taylor Greene. Both candidates are shown to be within striking distance of Ossoff, though not surpassing him as Kemp does. Ossoff leads Carter 47% to 39%, with 13% undecided, and Greene 51% to 39%, with 9% undecided.

Although Kemp has not officially announced whether he intends to run for the Senate, there is growing pressure from within his party to enter the race. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which is tasked with supporting GOP Senate candidates, has actively been courting Kemp to run. Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who serves as the NRSC chair for the 2026 election cycle, recently spoke to Semafor about his strong support for Kemp, calling him “the best candidate in Georgia we’ve had for a very long time.”

Kemp Poised To Join Senate Race, Flip Seat Red

Kemp, who currently serves as the chair of the Republican Governors Association, has a proven track record in Georgia. He triumphed over Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams in both the 2018 and 2022 gubernatorial races, with Abrams still refusing to concede her 2018 loss. Kemp’s leadership during the pandemic panic also garnered national attention; he was one of the first governors to reopen his state for business during the lockdowns—a decision that initially faced criticism but has been praised in hindsight for its economic impact.

Georgia voters, according to the poll, also appear to hold conservative views on issues such as gender and sports, which could have significant implications for the 2026 Senate race. The survey found that approximately 75% of Georgia voters oppose taxpayer-funded s*x change procedures and the participation of biological males in women’s sports. These views fit well with the growing national conversation around the rights of transgender athletes, especially as the Senate prepares to vote on the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, sponsored by Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. Ossoff, however, has yet to take a clear position on the bill.

Despite President Donald Trump’s narrow loss to Joe Biden in Georgia during the 2020 presidential election, the polling shows that Trump maintains a 4% net favorability rating among likely Georgia voters. Trump, who went on to defeat Kamala Harris in Georgia in the 2024 race, remains a significant figure in state politics. Although Ossoff has largely refrained from voting for Trump’s cabinet nominees, he did vote for two—Marco Rubio for Secretary of State and John Ratcliffe for CIA Director. Ossoff also missed votes on several other high-profile nominees, citing illness as the reason for his absences.

Ossoff’s voting record is one of the key issues that may come into play in the 2026 Senate race, particularly on immigration and abortion. While he voted in favor of the Laken Riley Act, which aimed to address illegal immigration, he also joined fellow Democrats in blocking a bill that would require medical care for babies who survive botched abortions. His positions on these controversial issues, along with his stance on transgender sports, could influence Georgia voters’ opinions as the race heats up.

If Kemp ultimately decides against running, other Republican candidates may consider entering the race. Rep. Mike Collins, a Republican from Georgia, expressed his support for the “Draft Kemp” movement in a recent interview, indicating that he believes the governor would be the strongest candidate. Collins also suggested that he would consult with former President Trump if Kemp decides to pass on the Senate run, ensuring that Republicans maintain a strong presence in the race.

In addition to Kemp, the poll also revealed other matchups involving him and Ossoff. A mid-January survey by the Club for Growth found Kemp leading Ossoff 46% to 40%, with 14% of voters undecided, showing how much pressure is mounting on Ossoff and his re-election chances.

As Georgia heads toward the 2026 Senate election, the Republican Party is increasingly optimistic about its prospects, with Brian Kemp emerging as the leading figure to challenge Ossoff’s grip on the Senate seat. However, with Ossoff’s incumbency and the looming influence of national issues like transgender rights and abortion, the race is shaping up to be a highly contentious and hard-fought battle for himself and the Democrats.

The Federalist Wire will keep our readers informed on any 2026 midterm elections updates.