Jon Ossoff, the Senate Democrat from Georgia, is standing firm on the party’s strategy of reframing the government shutdown as a health care issue. Despite the risks of alienating voters in a state with over 81,000 federal workers at risk for furloughs and firings, Ossoff remains resolute in his support for Democratic priorities. The Democratic approach is based on the belief that voters may not remember the specifics of the shutdown but will recall that Democrats were fighting for Americans’ health care benefits, which are a significant factor in his campaign.
Part of this calculus is the recognition that it is much riskier to alienate the party’s base than to break ranks in hopes of appealing to swing voters. Fellow senators also suggest that there is little belief that the current shutdown will have a significant impact on voters heading to polls in the following year. The attention span of the American public is said to be getting shorter, and it is unlikely that voters will prioritize the shutdown over other issues. This sentiment is echoed by Sen. Kevin Cramer and Thom Tillis, both of whom suggest that the shutdown is unlikely to be a major factor in the upcoming elections.
Ossoff’s decision to remain within the party’s strategy has not been without its consequences. The Senate GOP’s campaign arm is actively targeting him over his decision, including circulating a list of federal services that have been paused in the state and running digital ads attacking him since the shutdown began. However, with a formidable war chest of $21 million, Ossoff is well-prepared for the potential financial battle ahead. His campaign has also received backing from an unlikely source: GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has become a vocal advocate for addressing the expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies. This support is seen as a significant boost for Ossoff’s campaign, as it shows even a figure from the far-right of the Republican Party is acknowledging the importance of health care reform.
The 2021 Georgia Senate race remains a significant moment in GOP circles, as it was an opportunity lost due to self-inflicted wounds. Ahead of the election, Trump cast doubts on mail-in voting during the coronavirus pandemic, which Republican operatives believe cost them victories in both races. Now, with a crowded primary field seeking to take on Ossoff, the Republicans are betting that a Trump endorsement could rally GOP voters and make Ossoff a one-term senator. However, Ossoff has spent years preparing for a contested race, with his team branding him as ‘MAGA’s #1 target’ in fundraising appeals.
The financial implications of the shutdown and the political maneuvering are significant, with both parties likely to spend tens of millions of dollars in outside spending. The 2020 Georgia Senate races were the most expensive of the cycle, and this trend is expected to continue. The Democratic strategy is clearly focused on positioning Ossoff as a fighter for health care benefits, which is seen as a pivotal issue for voters in the upcoming midterm elections. With the stakes high and the political landscape shifting, the outcome of this battle could have significant implications for the future of American politics.