Economy takes center stage at Athens rally with Ossoff and Bottoms
Ossoff and Bottoms focus on economy at Athens rally
Democratic candidate for governor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Sen. Jon Ossoff headlined a campaign rally in downtown Athens on Sunday afternoon to rally support ahead of the upcoming election.
ATHENS, Ga. - Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff and gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms rallied voters in Athens to push economic plans ahead of the upcoming election.
Jon Ossoff and Keisha Lance Bottoms rally
What we know:
With early voting scheduled to start in one month and the election less than two months away, both speakers focused heavily on financial challenges facing residents.
Ossoff pointed to the increasing prices of gas, food and electricity.
Bottoms noted that living costs remain the top priority for voters across the state, citing expenses related to healthcare, groceries, gas and student loans.
To address these financial burdens, Bottoms proposed plans to build more affordable housing and establish a pathway for free technical and community college.
She also advocated for local tax relief, proposing to give local leaders the option to eliminate grocery taxes.
Addressing widespread voter frustration, Ossoff urged supporters to convert their feelings into political action.
What they're saying:
During the rally, Ossoff criticized his Republican opponent. Ossoff said Collins has a "widely known poor character and poor integrity, and unfit for any office in the United States."
Despite the criticism, Ossoff emphasized unity across party lines, telling the crowd, "We aren't just one us — we are one united people. E pluribus unum. Out of many, one."
Bottoms highlighted the financial strain on families, stating, "The cost of living is at the top of the ballot for everyone."
She added, "I am going to fight to bring down your costs by giving your local leaders the option to eliminate your grocery taxes."
Ossoff encouraged the audience to stay engaged, saying, "That ache in your heart, pit in stomach — don't ignore that, don't keep scrolling, turn it into action."
The other side:
The Mike Collins campaign criticized the Democratic rally in a released statement.
"Jon Ossoff and Keisha Lance Bottoms represent the same far left agenda that has made life more expensive and less safe for families, and putting them on the same stage won’t make the radical policies any less wrong for Georgia," the statement said.
What's next:
Voters head to the polls as Election Day approaches in less than two months, with early voting scheduled to begin in one month.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from a FOX 5 live broadcast report from a theater in downtown Athens, which covered the rally and included statements from the candidates and the opposition campaign.