Jon Ossoff is a Democratic U.S. Senator representing Georgia since 2021. Before entering the political arena, Ossoff worked as a documentary filmmaker and investigative journalist. His career in journalism focused on investigations into corruption and organized crime. He produced documentaries about political murders and war crimes in Africa and the Middle East. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. House of Representatives in a 2017 special election. In 2020, he was elected to the U.S. Senate. His victory, along with that of fellow Democrat Raphael Warnock, gave Democrats control of the Senate. As a senator, Ossoff has focused on issues such as voting rights and economic development in Georgia.
1958: Hebrew Benevolent Congregation Temple Bombing
In 1958, the Hebrew Benevolent Congregation Temple in Atlanta was bombed by white supremacists.
1961: Hiram Fong's Seniority
In 1961, Hiram Fong became the most junior senator since Hawaii's admission.
1974: Richard Stone becomes Florida's Senator
In 1974, Richard Stone became a Senator for Florida.
1978: Republicans begin representing Georgia's 6th district
In 1978, the 6th Congressional District of Georgia began to be represented by Republicans, marking the start of their long-term hold on the seat.
February 16, 1987: Birth of Jon Ossoff
Jon Ossoff was born on February 16, 1987, in Atlanta, Georgia, to an American father and an Australian mother.
1992: Redistricting forms current Georgia's 6th district
In 1992, redistricting created the current configuration of Georgia's 6th congressional district, a northern suburban district.
1996: Max Cleland's Senate Election
In 1996, Max Cleland was elected to the Senate.
2002: Morris Brown College loses accreditation
In 2002, Morris Brown College lost its accreditation due to financial issues and mismanagement.
2005: Zell Miller leaves office
In 2005, Zell Miller left his Senate office.
2007: Jon Ossoff begins working for U.S. Representative Hank Johnson
From 2007 to 2012, Jon Ossoff worked as a national security staffer and legislative assistant for U.S. Representative Hank Johnson.
2009: Jon Ossoff graduates from Georgetown University
In 2009, Jon Ossoff graduated from Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service with a Bachelor of Science degree.
2012: Jon Ossoff ends his work with U.S. Representative Hank Johnson
In 2012, Jon Ossoff concluded his work as a national security staffer and legislative assistant for U.S. Representative Hank Johnson.
2013: Jon Ossoff earns a Master's degree from the London School of Economics
Jon Ossoff earned a Master of Science degree in international political economy from the London School of Economics in 2013.
2013: Jon Ossoff becomes CEO of Insight: The World Investigates
Jon Ossoff became the managing director and chief executive officer of Insight: The World Investigates (TWI) in 2013.
2014: Previous midterm election in Georgia's 6th district
The 2014 midterm election in Georgia's 6th district served as a comparison point for voter turnout in the 2017 special election.
January 5, 2017: Jon Ossoff announces his candidacy for Georgia's 6th congressional district
On January 5, 2017, Jon Ossoff announced his candidacy for the special election in Georgia's 6th congressional district after Tom Price vacated the seat.
March 2017: Opposition to American Health Care Act
In March 2017, Jon Ossoff voiced his opposition to the American Health Care Act, the Republican bill aiming to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
April 18, 2017: Blanket primary election for Georgia's 6th district
The blanket primary election for Georgia's 6th district took place on April 18, 2017. No candidate achieved a majority, leading to a runoff between Jon Ossoff and Karen Handel.
April 19, 2017: Response to President Trump's Criticism
On April 19, 2017, Ossoff responded to criticism from then-President Trump, dismissing his claims as misinformation. Despite this exchange, Ossoff expressed willingness to collaborate with Trump on shared priorities like infrastructure.
May 2017: Continued Opposition to Revised American Health Care Act
Jon Ossoff reiterated his disapproval of the revised American Health Care Act in May 2017, citing concerns about protections for pre-existing conditions.
June 20, 2017: Runoff election for Georgia's 6th district
The runoff election between Jon Ossoff and Karen Handel for Georgia's 6th district was held on June 20, 2017. Handel defeated Ossoff.
2017: Marriage to Alisha Kramer
Jon Ossoff married Alisha Kramer in 2017 after 12 years of dating.
2017: Ossoff's Political Positions
In 2017, various publications described Ossoff's political positions, noting his progressive views on some issues and moderate stances on others. His campaign focused on policy decisions rather than Trump's scandals.
2017: Ossoff's Stance on Environmental Issues
In 2017, Ossoff expressed support for climate change action and environmental protection.
2017: Jon Ossoff runs for Georgia's 6th congressional district
In 2017, Jon Ossoff ran for Georgia's 6th congressional district in a special election. Though he narrowed the margin, he ultimately lost the election.
February 23, 2018: Jon Ossoff announces he will not run in the 2018 election
On February 23, 2018, Jon Ossoff announced he would not run for Georgia's 6th congressional district seat in the regular 2018 election.
November 2018: Democrat Lucy McBath wins Georgia's 6th district seat
In November 2018, Democrat Lucy McBath won the election for Georgia's 6th congressional district seat.
2018: Twin Pines Minerals Proposes Titanium Mine
In 2018, Twin Pines Minerals LLC proposed a titanium mine in the Okefenokee Swamp.
July 2020: David Perdue's campaign runs controversial Facebook ad
In July 2020, David Perdue's Senate campaign ran a Facebook advertisement featuring a digitally altered image of Jon Ossoff with an enlarged nose. Ossoff criticized the ad as anti-Semitic, and the Perdue campaign subsequently removed it.
October 2020: Jon Ossoff raises record-breaking campaign funds
By October 2020, Jon Ossoff had raised over $100 million for his Senate campaign, making him the best-funded Senate candidate in U.S. history at the time.
2020: Start of Senate Campaign
Jon Ossoff began his campaign for the US Senate.
2020: Jon Ossoff runs for U.S. Senate in Georgia
In 2020, Jon Ossoff ran for the U.S. Senate in Georgia.
2020: Ossoff Supports Stimulus Spending
In 2020, Ossoff supported additional stimulus checks and economic relief related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Shift in Ossoff's Campaign Strategy
In 2020, Ossoff became more open about embracing liberal policies and directly criticizing Trump.
January 5, 2021: Jon Ossoff wins the U.S. Senate runoff election in Georgia
On January 5, 2021, Jon Ossoff won the U.S. Senate runoff election in Georgia, defeating incumbent Republican David Perdue.
January 6, 2021: Jon Ossoff declares victory in the Georgia Senate runoff
On January 6, 2021, Jon Ossoff declared victory in the Georgia Senate runoff election against David Perdue. News outlets projected his win later that day. Perdue conceded the election on January 8.
January 2021: Vogue Reports on "Adoring" Instagram Account
In January 2021, Vogue highlighted an Instagram account dedicated to expressing admiration for Senator Ossoff.
January 2021: Ossoff's Election to the Senate and Kramer's Overnight Shift
On the night of Jon Ossoff's election to the U.S. Senate in January 2021, his wife, Alisha Kramer, was working an overnight shift at Emory University Hospital.
January 20, 2021: Ossoff Sworn into Senate
On January 20, 2021, Jon Ossoff was sworn into the United States Senate.
July 2021: The Daily Beast Reports on "Ossimp Patrol" on Twitter
In July 2021, The Daily Beast reported on a Twitter account tracking and responding to Ossoff admirers, using their tweets as an opportunity to solicit donations for Senator Warnock's reelection campaign.
August 2021: Ossoff's Response to Afghanistan Withdrawal
In August 2021, Ossoff focused on supporting the evacuation of Americans and allies from Afghanistan.
December 3, 2021: Ossoff petitions Secretary of Education
On December 3, 2021, Ossoff petitioned Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona requesting Morris Brown College regain their accreditation.
December 2021: Birth of Daughter
Jon Ossoff and Alisha Kramer welcomed their daughter in December 2021.
2021: Vote to Convict Trump in Second Impeachment
In 2021, Ossoff voted to convict President Trump during his second impeachment trial for inciting the January 6th insurrection.
2021: Ossoff Votes for American Rescue Plan
In 2021, Ossoff voted in favor of the American Rescue Plan Act.
2021: Jon Ossoff becomes Senior United States Senator from Georgia
In 2021, Jon Ossoff began his term as the senior United States Senator from Georgia.
2021: Jon Ossoff concludes his role at Insight TWI
In 2021, Jon Ossoff ended his tenure as managing director and CEO of Insight TWI, concluding his time at the company.
2021: Ossoff Calls for Ceasefire in Israel-Palestine Crisis
In 2021, Ossoff led a group of senators calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine crisis.
2021: Vote Against Amendment #54 to S. Con. Res. 5
In 2021, Ossoff voted against an amendment to the COVID-19 stimulus bill that would have prevented stimulus payments to undocumented immigrants.
2021: Response to Georgia's Election Integrity Act of 2021
In 2021, following the passage of Georgia's Election Integrity Act, Ossoff expressed his disapproval of the bill while also stating his opposition to the corporate boycotts of Georgia in protest of the bill.
January 2022: Ossoff introduces stock trading ban legislation
In January 2022, Ossoff introduced legislation to ban members of Congress and their spouses from trading stocks.
April 2022: Morris Brown College regains accreditation
In April 2022, Morris Brown College regained accreditation.
June 2022: Response to Roe v. Wade Overturning
In June 2022, Ossoff criticized the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, stating it stripped women of autonomy.
2022: Ossoff Blocks Titanium Mine
In 2022, Ossoff blocked a proposed titanium mine in the Okefenokee Swamp.
2022: Ossoff's Support for Voting Rights and DC Statehood
In 2022, Ossoff voted for the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. He also supports statehood for the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
2022: Raphael Warnock's Reelection Campaign
This year marked Senator Raphael Warnock's reelection campaign.
October 2023: Ossoff Visits China
In October 2023, Ossoff participated in a bipartisan Senate delegation visit to China, meeting with President Xi Jinping and other officials.
2023: Ossoff Ranked for Bipartisanship
In 2023, Ossoff was ranked 33rd in the Senate for bipartisanship by the Lugar Center.
2025: Vote for the Laken Riley Act
In 2025, Ossoff was one of the few Democrats who voted in favor of the Laken Riley Act.