‘Cost of living is at the top of the ballot’: Keisha Lance Bottoms, Jon Ossoff rally Georgia voters

Bottoms pitched proposals on housing, tuition and grocery taxes as Ossoff urged voters frustrated by rising costs to stay engaged.

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and Georgia gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms made the economy the central theme of a campaign rally in downtown Athens, Ga., on September 13. They focused on the financial pressures facing Georgia families.

According to a report by FOX 5 Atlanta, Ossoff pointed to the cost of gas, food and electricity. Bottoms, on the other hand, said voters across Georgia are also concerned about healthcare, groceries, gas and student-loan costs.

Bottoms outlined several proposals during the event, including expanding affordable housing and creating a pathway toward free technical and community college tuition. She also proposed allowing local governments to eliminate taxes on groceries. “The cost of living is at the top of the ballot for everyone,” Bottoms said.

Ossoff urged voters frustrated by rising costs to remain politically engaged. He also criticized Republican Senate candidate Mike Collins, calling him unfit for office and questioning his character. Ossoff also sought to emphasize unity, telling attendees, “We aren’t just one us… we are one united people.”

The Mike Collins campaign responded by criticizing both Democrats and their policy proposals. In a statement released after the rally, the campaign argued that Ossoff and Bottoms represent policies it says have contributed to higher costs and public-safety concerns. The statement characterized their agenda as too far to the left.

The Athens rally comes as Georgia’s statewide campaigns move toward the November election. Bottoms is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, while Ossoff is seeking another term in the U.S. Senate.

The rally also reflected the broader campaign battle over how Georgia’s economic challenges should be addressed. Democrats emphasize cost relief and Republicans argue that Democratic policies would increase costs and undermine public safety.