Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jon Ossoff

How Jon Ossoff built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Jon Ossoff is an American politician currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Georgia since 2021. As a member of the Democratic Party, he holds the distinction of being the youngest sitting U.S. Senator. Prior to his career in politics, Ossoff worked as a documentary and investigative filmmaker, bringing a unique background to his role in the Senate.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2007: Ossoff becomes a national security staffer

In 2007, Jon Ossoff started working as a national security staffer and legislative assistant for U.S. representative Hank Johnson.

2012: Ossoff ends role as a national security staffer

In 2012, Jon Ossoff ended his role as a national security staffer and legislative assistant for U.S. representative Hank Johnson.

2013: Ossoff becomes managing director of Insight: The World Investigates

In 2013, Jon Ossoff became the managing director and chief executive officer of Insight: The World Investigates (TWI), a London-based investigative television production company.

January 5, 2017: Ossoff Announces Candidacy for Special Election

On January 5, 2017, Jon Ossoff announced his candidacy for the special election for Georgia's 6th congressional district after Tom Price was appointed secretary of health and human services.

March 2017: Ossoff Opposed the March 2017 Version of the American Health Care Act

In March 2017, Jon Ossoff opposed the March 2017 version of the American Health Care Act, the House Republican bill that would have repealed the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

April 18, 2017: Ossoff Leads in Blanket Primary

On April 18, 2017, Jon Ossoff led in the blanket primary for Georgia's 6th congressional district with about 48.1 percent of the vote, but no candidate received 50 percent.

April 19, 2017: Trump Tweeted Criticism of Ossoff Before Primary

On April 19, 2017, the day before Jon Ossoff's primary, President Donald Trump tweeted calling Ossoff a "super Liberal Democrat" who wanted to "protect criminals, allow illegal immigration and raise taxes"; Ossoff dismissed Trump's claims as misinformed.

May 2017: Ossoff Opposed the May 2017 Version of the American Health Care Act

In May 2017, Jon Ossoff voiced his opposition to the May 2017 version of the American Health Care Act, arguing it was worse than the March 2017 version as it offered even less protection for individuals with pre-existing conditions.

June 20, 2017: Runoff Election

On June 20, 2017, Jon Ossoff competed in a runoff election against Karen Handel for Georgia's 6th congressional district.

2017: Ossoff Runs in Special Election

In 2017, Jon Ossoff ran in the special election for Georgia's 6th congressional district but narrowly lost.

2017: Ossoff's Website Stance on Crime

In 2017, Jon Ossoff's campaign website highlighted the prevalence of violent crime, murder, rape, human trafficking, and corruption, while criticizing the billions spent on incarcerating nonviolent drug offenders.

February 23, 2018: Ossoff announces he will not seek the seat in the election

On February 23, 2018, Jon Ossoff announced he would not seek the seat in the election in 2018.

November 2018: Democrat Lucy McBath won the seat

In November 2018, Democrat Lucy McBath won the seat Jon Ossoff decided not to run for.

October 2020: Ossoff's Fundraising Success

By October 2020, Jon Ossoff raised over $100 million for his campaign, becoming the best-funded Senate candidate in U.S. history.

2020: Ossoff's 2020-2021 Senate Campaign

During his 2020-2021 senate campaign, Ossoff was part of a great community that supported him.

2020: Ossoff Campaigned on Ending Stock Trading by Members of Congress

In 2020, Jon Ossoff made ending stock trading by members of Congress a prominent theme of his campaign.

2020: Ossoff participated in the 2020 Senate election

In 2020, Jon Ossoff participated in the U.S. Senate election in Georgia, which led to a runoff election in 2021 where he won against David Perdue.

2020: Ossoff Opposed Prison Sentencing for Nonviolent Drug Offenses

In 2020, Jon Ossoff voiced his opposition to prison sentencing for individuals convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, aligning with his prior stance from 2017.

January 5, 2021: Runoff Election Held

On January 5, 2021, the runoff election between David Perdue and Jon Ossoff was held, as neither candidate received a majority of the vote in November.

January 6, 2021: Ossoff Declares Victory

On the morning of January 6, 2021, Jon Ossoff declared victory in the Senate race against David Perdue, and major news outlets called the race for him later that day.

January 20, 2021: Ossoff Sworn into the Senate

On January 20, 2021, Jon Ossoff was sworn into the United States Senate in the 117th Congress by Vice President Kamala Harris, alongside fellow Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock and California Senator Alex Padilla.

August 2021: Ossoff Focused on Afghanistan Evacuation, Condemned Kabul Attack

In August 2021, Jon Ossoff refrained from criticizing President Joe Biden's withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, prioritizing support for the State Department and Department of Defense in evacuating Americans and allied Afghans; he later condemned the Kabul airport attack that resulted in the death of 13 American military personnel.

December 3, 2021: Ossoff Petitions for Morris Brown College Accreditation

On December 3, 2021, Jon Ossoff petitioned Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to help Morris Brown College regain its accreditation.

2021: Ossoff Called for Ceasefire During Israel-Palestine Crisis

During the 2021 Israel-Palestine crisis, Jon Ossoff led a group of 25 Democratic senators in calling for an immediate ceasefire, emphasizing Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas' rocket attacks proportionately, and expressing his personal connection to the conflict due to having Orthodox relatives in Israel.

2021: Ossoff Becomes U.S. Senator

In 2021, Jon Ossoff became the senior United States Senator from Georgia. He is a member of the Democratic Party and the youngest incumbent U.S. senator.

2021: Ossoff ends role as managing director of Insight: The World Investigates

In 2021, Jon Ossoff ended his role as the managing director and chief executive officer of Insight: The World Investigates (TWI).

2021: Ossoff Supported COVID-19 Economic Relief and Voted for American Rescue Plan Act

In 2021, Jon Ossoff showed support for increasing economic relief to aid businesses and households that were struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic, also voting in favor of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

2021: Ossoff Voted to Convict Trump During Second Impeachment

In 2021, Jon Ossoff voted to convict Donald Trump during his second impeachment trial for incitement of insurrection following the 2021 United States Capitol attack.

2021: Ossoff Wins U.S. Senate Election

In 2021, Jon Ossoff won the 2020–21 U.S. Senate election in Georgia, defeating incumbent Republican senator David Perdue in a runoff election.

2021: Ossoff Expressed Displeasure with Georgia's Election Integrity Act, Opposed Corporate Boycotts

In 2021, following the passage of Georgia's controversial Election Integrity Act, Jon Ossoff expressed his disapproval but stated that he did not support the corporate boycotts against the state, as Georgians rely on jobs, investment, and opportunity.

January 2022: Ossoff Introduces Legislation on Stock Trading

In January 2022, Jon Ossoff introduced legislation that would ban members of Congress and their spouses from trading stocks.

April 2022: Morris Brown College Regains Accreditation

In April 2022, Morris Brown College regained its accreditation after Ossoff's petition, allowing students to apply for federal financial aid.

2022: Ossoff Blocked Proposed Titanium Mine in Okefenokee Swamp

In 2022, Jon Ossoff successfully blocked the proposal for a titanium mine in the Okefenokee Swamp, which had been proposed by Twin Pines Minerals LLC in 2018, following warnings from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding potential damage to the wildlife refuge.

October 2023: Ossoff Visited China with Bipartisan Delegation

In October 2023, Jon Ossoff participated in a bipartisan visit to China, led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, meeting with General Secretary Xi Jinping and other Chinese officials in Beijing.

November 20, 2024: Ossoff Supported Resolutions to Block Military Aid to Israel

On November 20, 2024, Jon Ossoff was among 19 senators who supported resolutions proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders to block U.S. military aid to Israel amidst the Gaza war; the resolutions ultimately failed to pass.

April 2025: Ossoff Voted Against Resolutions to Withhold Military Aid to Israel

In April 2025, Jon Ossoff voted against resolutions from Sen. Bernie Sanders to withhold billions of dollars in offensive weapons sales and other military aid to Israel, stressing the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship.