Interview: Rep. Buddy Carter confident he can unseat Sen. Ossoff in 2026
One-on-One Interview: Rep. Buddy Carter
Rep. Buddy Carter announced on Thursday that he intends to challenge Sen. Jon Ossoff for his seat in 2026. FOX 5 Atlanta's Eric Perry sat down for a one-on-one interview with the politician.
ATLANTA - U.S. Representative Buddy Carter officially announced his candidacy Thursday for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Jon Ossoff, becoming the first Republican to enter the 2026 race.
ORIGINAL STORY: Rep. Buddy Carter enters 2026 Senate race against Sen. Jon Ossoff
What we know:
Carter, who currently represents Georgia’s 1st Congressional District, rolled out his campaign with strong rhetoric and a clear alignment with President Donald Trump. In an interview with FOX 5 Atlanta, Carter expressed confidence that he can win the Republican primary and unseat Ossoff in the general election.
What they're saying:
Rep. Carter is not mincing words and says he is ready to go head-to-head with incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff.
"Jon Ossoff is not for you. I am for you," Carter said.
When asked if he thought he could beat Sen. Ossoff when some Republicans have even said he might be unbeatable, Rep. Carter responded, "We will take him because Georgians voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump in the last election. Georgians voted overwhelmingly for the America First policy. They were tired of the Biden-Harris administration and the policies that Jon Ossoff supported with them."
Full one-on-one interview with Rep. Buddy Carter
Rep. Buddy Carter has announced that he plans to run against Sen. Jon Ossoff in 2026. FOX 5 Atlanta's Eric Perry sat down with Carter on Thursday for a one-on-one interview.
A longtime pharmacist and owner of Carter’s Pharmacy, the congressman highlighted issues he plans to prioritize if elected to the Senate, including veterans’ affairs, postal service concerns, and economic policy. He emphasized his support for Georgia’s veteran population and pledged to continue championing their needs on a statewide level.
Carter also commented on Georgia’s national political visibility, saying, "Every Georgian is a Republican with the exception of our two senators, and I would submit to you that that’s an anomaly that needs to be corrected."
As speculation swirls about other potential Republican challengers, Carter acknowledged that Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is considering entering the race but said they are friends and hopes she will support him if she decides not to run.
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The other side:
In response to Carter's announcement, Senator Ossoff released a statement expressing confidence in his reelection chances, regardless of who emerges from the Republican primary.