{"id":2641402,"date":"2026-08-06T13:48:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T17:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/georgia-gop-mayors-break-with-party-to-support-ossoff\/"},"modified":"2026-08-06T13:52:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T17:52:23","slug":"georgia-gop-mayors-break-with-party-to-support-ossoff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/georgia-gop-mayors-break-with-party-to-support-ossoff\/","title":{"rendered":"Georgia GOP mayors break with party to support Ossoff"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fgeorgia-gop-mayors-break-with-party-to-support-ossoff%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2641402&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Several Georgia mayors, who identify as Republicans, are unexpectedly supporting Democrat Jon Ossoff in the upcoming Senate race against Republican candidate Mike Collins. Mayors Scott Matheson of Valdosta and Julie Smith of Tifton cite Ossoff\u2019s efforts to improve their communities, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sheila-jackson-lee-files-for-re-election-in-wake-of-crushing-electoral-defeat\/\" title=\"Sheila Jackson Lee seeks re-election despite major loss\">including securing funding<\/a> for local colleges, medical centers, and infrastructure, as reasons for their cross-party support. Despite their Republican affiliations, they value Ossoff&#8217;s ability to deliver tangible benefits and effective communication.Matheson, a conservative radio host, and Smith emphasize their autonomous judgment, prioritizing community interests over party loyalty. Ossoff\u2019s bipartisan appeal, backed by key local leaders and supported by a financial advantage over Collins, positions him favorably in polls. While Collins maintains Trump\u2019s support,the backing Ossoff receives from local Republican leaders suggests a competitive race with potential to sway voters beyond traditional partisan lines.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republican\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"926\">Republican<\/a> mayors from <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/georgia\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"164\">Georgia\u2019s<\/a> deep-red southern region are breaking with their party to support Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jon-ossoff\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"3194\">Jon Ossoff<\/a> (D-GA) over GOP nominee Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-collins\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"17647\">Mike Collins<\/a> in the race for the Peach State\u2019s Senate seat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson and Tifton Mayor Julie Smith lead municipalities in Georgia\u2019s 8th Congressional District, represented by Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA). Both mayors consider themselves Republicans, but told the <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ajc.com\/politics\/2026\/08\/why-two-republican-georgia-mayors-are-crossing-party-lines-for-jon-ossoff\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.ajc.com\/politics\/2026\/08\/why-two-republican-georgia-mayors-are-crossing-party-lines-for-jon-ossoff\/\">Atlanta Journal-Constitution<\/a><\/em>  that Ossoff\u2019s willingness to help their towns thrive is too big to ignore.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4677781\/trump-endorses-andy-ogles-tennessee-gop-primary\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump re-ups endorsement of Andy Ogles amid tough Tennessee primary<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4677884\/andy-ogles-competitive-gop-primary-despite-trump-endorsement\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Andy Ogles stares down competitive primary after cash barrage<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4677731\/georgia-gop-mayor-support-ossoff-bipartisan-funding-college-medical-center\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Georgia GOP mayors break with party to support Jon Ossoff<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI look at the record, and his record to improve the businesses and communities in my region speaks to me louder than whether I\u2019m a Republican or a Democrat,\u201d Smith said. \u201cThe proof is in the pudding.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Tifton, Ossoff secured funding for the University of Georgia\u2019s local campus, as well as Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, and Tift Regional Medical Center. Smith said Ossoff is ready to communicate with constituents, noting that she doesn\u2019t have to \u201ctrack him down\u201d when she needs something.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe\u2019s been very good to South Georgia, and in my nonpartisan role as mayor, I have to look to someone who takes care of their constituents,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m a Republican, but there are times when a person exceeds the party. They go above and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Matheson said he considers himself a \u201chard-core conservative\u201d and hosts a conservative radio show. He explained that his friendship with Ossoff began after a \u201cstandoffish\u201d meeting with the senator.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, their relationship quickly grew as Ossoff helped bring federal funding to Matheson\u2019s corner of Georgia. Matheson also championed Ossoff for being the first politician to have boots on the ground after a deadly hurricane.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe voters put me in here to do a job, and that man has been absolutely incredible,\u201d Matheson said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Support from leaders in areas that heavily favored President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> and are backing other GOP candidates in the state, including Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson, gives Ossoff a significant edge over Collins.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/energy-and-environment\/4672914\/georgia-democrats-data-center-utility-commission\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/energy-and-environment\/4672914\/georgia-democrats-data-center-utility-commission\/\">GEORGIA DEMOCRATS TURN DATA CENTER BACKLASH INTO FIGHT FOR UTILITY COMMISSION CONTROL<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Collins has the support of Trump and the president\u2019s loyalists, but he still needs to unite Georgia\u2019s GOP voter base. Ossoff has a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/data-show-most-michigan-voters-dont-go-along-with-woke-culture-their-governor-flirts-with-it\/\" title=\"Data Show Most Michigan Voters Don...t Go Along With Woke Culture. Their Governor Flirts With It.\">massive cash advantage<\/a> over Collins, who faced a bruising primary race. Additionally, Ossoff\u2019s support from Smith and Matheson opens the door for the Democrat to argue he can work across party lines.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/content\/dam\/aarp\/research\/topics\/voter-opinion-research\/politics\/2026-midterm-election-poll-georgia.doi.10.26419-2fres.01065.004.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/content\/dam\/aarp\/research\/topics\/voter-opinion-research\/politics\/2026-midterm-election-poll-georgia.doi.10.26419-2fres.01065.004.pdf\">recent AARP poll<\/a> placed Ossoff in the lead by a 9-point margin, and <em>Cook Political Report<\/em> rates the race as leaning Democratic.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Georgia GOP mayors back Democrat Ossoff over Collins<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2641403,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25302585608426.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4977,6203,51582,47334,5894],"class_list":["post-2641402","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-georgia","tag-gop","tag-mayors-2","tag-ossoff","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25302585608426.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2641402","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2641402"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2641402\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2641406,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2641402\/revisions\/2641406"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2641403"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2641402"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2641402"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2641402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}