SAVANNAH, GA — Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff held another “Rally for the Republic” on Saturday afternoon in Chatham County, one of the state’s most educated, upper-middle-class, working-class, and voter-populated counties.
Ossoff took the stage inside the Kehoe Iron Works just after 3:15 p.m. to a loud round of applause from just over 1,000 people in attendance. With more than a year and a half till voters cast their votes for his Senate seat, Ossoff was in Savannah to speak to supporters and voters about the current Presidential Administration’s legislative actions.
“You can’t claim you’re for working-class men and women when you do these things to cut taxes for the richest people in the country,” Ossoff said. “When you’ve got a government like this, it always comes with corruption.”
Ossoff spent his time on stage pointing out what he called the cowardice of Georgians in the United States Congress. The $4 trillion added to the National debt was used an example.
“I don’t want to hear another Republican member of Congress ever pretend to care about American debt,” Ossoff said.
Phyllis and John Bush, Savannah residents and engaged voters, sat quietly while Ossoff campaign staffers and volunteers moved around the warehouse space at Kehoe Iron Works, preparing for the rally. The Bushes wanted to get a good seat for the rally where they could see and hear the senator speak.
“I voted for him last time, I will vote for him again,” Phyllis said. “But I want to get more in-depth with what he has planned next.”
Her husband agreed that he was there for the same reasons, but added, “I want to get information on Trump’s big bill and what the Democrats plan to do about it,” John said. “There’s something we can do about it. We’re not powerless.”
The sentiment around the venue filling up quickly hours before the scheduled 3 p.m. start time was the same: What’s the plan?
“I supported him the last time he was down here with (then) Vice President Kamala Harris, and I just want to hear his message,” Ernest Roberts, a Savannah resident, said.
Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Roberts, sitting with his wife Yvonne, said they are politically active and enjoy attending rallies to be as informed as possible. With more than 16 months until Election Day, November 6, 2026, Democratic Party volunteer Karen Beasley says it can never be too late to engage voters. While the DJ inside Kehoe Iron Works played a medley of dance tunes, including the “Cupid Shuffle” and “Cha-Cha Slide”, Beasley’s voice was barely audible.
“We need to sustain this energy and ongoing action for the next 16 months,” Beasley, a Savannah resident, said. “For one thing, fundraising is going to be crucial.”
Beasley was referencing the fact that Georgia State Representative Buddy Carter, Ossoff’s most serious opponent for his Senate seat, has raised more than $1 million for his senatorial campaign.
Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Jerome Irwin, the president of Building Futures, Inc., a local youth-focused skills training program, said he plans to hold Ossoff accountable, whatever his plan is.
“I expect to hear what his plans are and to see if he will stand true to those plans,” Irwin said. “We’ll hold him accountable no matter what.”
Some of the speakers on the rally’s agenda were a local OB-GYN, Dr. AYANA Graham, community organizer Amanada Hollowell, and Trey Murray, the president of construction at Sunpath Solar, a Dallas, Georgia-based energy manufacturing company.
Murray said Sunpath Solar employs 20 Georgians and has installed solar panels on residential and commercial properties in Savannah. Energy affordability was the reason he was at the rally.
“We need leadership that ensures solar remains a viable option for Georgia families,” Murray said.
Hollowell, a mother and caretaker for her father, a retired United States veteran, said the cuts to programs that help her take care of her father are in danger. Medicaid cuts and insurance cuts were at the top of her list of speaking topics.
“This budget will hurt all Georgians. As a full-time caretaker and mom, I worry deeply,” Hollowell, who shared stories of parents and veterans worrying about household budgets, said. “It’s going to require all of us to speak out and effect change. We need to make sure we send Senator Ossoff back.”
