SerpApi.Org
Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff has gained fresh momentum in early betting for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, with prediction markets placing him among the leading contenders to become the first Jewish president in U.S. history. The attention comes even as Ossoff insists his only focus is winning reelection to the Senate this November.
The renewed interest follows President Donald Trump‘s primetime address revisiting his unproven claims about the 2020 election in Georgia and questioning the legitimacy of the 2021 Senate runoff victories by Ossoff and fellow Sen. Raphael Warnock. Before the speech, Ossoff argued that such claims would amount to Trump telling Georgia voters their ballots did not count.
A race for reelection becomes a national story
At 39, Ossoff is facing one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races against Rep. Mike Collins in a state Trump carried in 2024.
Political strategists say the qualities that have made Ossoff a top Republican target — disciplined messaging, a willingness to confront Trump and an ability to turn attacks back on the president — are also fueling speculation about a future White House run, despite his repeated denials of presidential ambitions.
Why Democrats see Ossoff as a 2028 contender
Democratic strategists point to Ossoff’s Senate campaign as a model for competing in difficult battleground states.
Doug Gordon, executive director of Upshift Strategies, said Ossoff has embraced direct confrontation with Trump instead of avoiding it, offering a blueprint for Democratic candidates in competitive races.
Maria Cardona, a Democratic strategist and CNN commentator, told Newsweek that enthusiasm surrounding Ossoff reflects his willingness to challenge Trump directly. She cited his response to Trump’s attacks on his and Warnock’s legitimacy — framing them as attacks on Georgia voters — as an example of effective political messaging that other Democrats have since echoed.
Cardona also pointed to Ossoff’s age as an advantage as Democrats confront growing questions about generational change, arguing that voters view him as authentic and capable of appealing across the party.
The numbers are moving
Prediction markets have reflected the growing interest.
Kalshi placed Ossoff at 9 percent and Polymarket at 7 percent as California Gov. Gavin Newsom‘s odds declined. Ossoff’s chances on Polymarket had climbed to 14 percent, more than doubling from under 6 percent a month earlier. During the same period, Newsom fell from 25 percent to 18 percent, while former Vice President Kamala Harris remained near 8 percent.
More recent markets have stabilized, with Newsom leading at roughly 24 percent. Ossoff, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Harris remain grouped in the high single digits to low teens depending on the platform. One mid-July tracker showed Newsom at 11.8 percent, Ocasio-Cortez at 7.8 percent and Ossoff at 7.4 percent.
At home, Ossoff has raised more than $57 million for his reelection campaign, more than half from small-dollar donors. Prediction markets also continue to favor him to retain his Senate seat.
Could Jon Ossoff become the first Jewish president?
Ossoff’s Jewish identity has become part of the 2028 conversation because no Jewish candidate has ever headed a major-party presidential ticket.
If elected, he would become the first Jewish president. Barry Goldwater, the 1964 Republican nominee, had a Jewish father but identified as Episcopalian, while Joe Lieberman became the first Jewish candidate on a major-party national ticket when he joined Al Gore’s 2000 campaign as the Democratic vice presidential nominee.
Ossoff has described himself as a “pro-Israel Jewish American” while repeatedly criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s government. He has voted to block certain weapons sales to Israel and accused Netanyahu of relying on hardline ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir.
Those positions have cost him support from AIPAC’s affiliated super PAC, which is backing Collins, while earning praise from progressives.
Reelection comes first
Despite the presidential speculation, Ossoff’s immediate challenge is defending his Senate seat.
A Fox News poll conducted by Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research surveyed 1,002 registered Georgia voters and found Ossoff leading Collins by double digits, with inflation remaining voters’ top concern.
Another Fox News poll released showed Ossoff ahead 56 percent to 43 percent, a 13-point advantage compared with his one-point runoff victory over David Perdue in January 2021.
Republicans have made Georgia one of their top pickup opportunities. Along with Michigan, it is one of only two Democratic-held Senate seats in a state Trump carried in 2024, while Republicans currently hold a 53-47 Senate majority.
The Cook Political Report also noted Collins’ strong position after defeating former Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley by more than 10 points in the Republican runoff, aided by Trump’s late endorsement.
