2026 Catholic Voter Guide

Georgia

Where the candidates stand on the issues Pope Leo XIV has raised, in their own words and votes. Every position links to its source.

Election Day · Tuesday, Nov. 3
Step 1
Check or update your registration
Register →
Vote by mail
Request or track a mail ballot
Absentee →
On Election Day
Find your polling place
Look it up →
Beat the line
Vote early
Early voting →

Georgia offers three weeks of in-person early voting before Election Day, including two Saturdays, at any early voting site in your county. Absentee ballot requests must be made at least 11 days before the election; polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, and anyone in line by 7 p.m. may vote. Official source ↗

How to use this guide. For each race, open an issue to see what Pope Leo XIV has taught and what each candidate has said or done, side by side. Where a candidate has served in office, we add their recorded votes on the same key bills for everyone in that chamber, linked to the official roll call. We summarize; we do not score or endorse. Candidates are listed alphabetically. Where we could not find a public position, we say so. Click any bracketed source to read it yourself. New to Catholic voting principles? Start with our national guide to Faithful Citizenship.
Georgia · 2026

U.S. Senate

Incumbent Jon Ossoff (D) seeks a second term.

Download printable PDF ↓
Mike Collins
Republican · Challenger
U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 10th District and trucking-company owner.
Campaign website ↗
Jon Ossoff
Democrat · Incumbent
U.S. Senator since 2021; former investigative documentary producer.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Mike Collins
Supports President Trump’s war with Iran as “peace through strength,” arguing Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon. Positions himself as an unequivocal supporter of Israel; voted against the 2024 Ukraine aid package.
[1] AJC: Collins vs. Ossoff key issues[2] Axios Atlanta: Ossoff, Collins debate[3] House Roll Call 151 (2024), Ukraine aid
Voting record
Jon Ossoff
Opposes the Iran war as a “regime change war-of-choice” and pledges to end it if Democrats win the Senate. Supports Israel’s security but has voted to halt specific arms transfers, citing Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
[1] AJC: Collins vs. Ossoff key issues[2] GPB: Ossoff and Collins debate
Voting record
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Mike Collins
Says the U.S. needs data centers to compete with China in artificial intelligence, with local communities having the final say on projects. Favors technical training and skilled trades.
[1] AJC: Collins vs. Ossoff key issues
Voting record
Jon Ossoff
Cosponsored the PRO Act to strengthen workers’ right to unionize, saying it would “level the playing field.” Opened an investigation into whether data center growth is raising household electricity bills.
[1] Ossoff Senate office: PRO Act[2] AJC: Collins vs. Ossoff key issues
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Mike Collins
Voted for the 2025 reconciliation law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) and describes its Medicaid changes as rooting out fraud and abuse. Calls the Affordable Care Act a “disaster” and has called for its repeal.
[1] House Roll Call 190 (2025), H.R. 1[2] AJC: Collins vs. Ossoff key issues[3] GPB: Ossoff and Collins debate
Voting record
Jon Ossoff
Voted against the 2025 reconciliation law, citing about $1 trillion in Medicaid reductions, and calls for repealing those cuts. Supports the Affordable Care Act and has sought to restore its enhanced premium tax credits.
[1] Senate Vote 372 (2025), H.R. 1[2] AJC: Collins vs. Ossoff key issues[3] GPB: Ossoff and Collins debate
Voting record
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Mike Collins
Said in a 2022 House debate that he is “100% pro-life, period — no exceptions.” Now campaigns on Georgia’s 2019 six-week abortion law, which has exceptions for rape, incest and the mother’s life. Opposes federal funding for abortion.
[1] AJC: Collins vs. Ossoff key issues
Voting record
Jon Ossoff
Has repeatedly condemned Georgia’s 2019 abortion law and supports federal abortion-rights protections. His campaign pledges to “defend women’s freedom of choice in reproductive health care.”
[1] AJC: Collins vs. Ossoff key issues[2] Ballotpedia: Jon Ossoff
Voting record
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Mike Collins
No public position found.
Jon Ossoff
His 2020 campaign platform pledged to work to “abolish the death penalty,” along with ending cash bail and banning private prisons.
[1] OnTheIssues: Jon Ossoff on Crime
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Mike Collins
Authored the House version of the Laken Riley Act, requiring detention of certain unlawfully present immigrants charged with crimes, and voted for it. Backs President Trump’s mass deportation campaign.
[1] AJC: Collins vs. Ossoff key issues[2] House Roll Call 6 (2025), Laken Riley Act
Voting record
Jon Ossoff
Voted for the Laken Riley Act but now says “provisions of that law were overbroad.” Supports deporting immigrants here illegally who commit crimes while criticizing Trump administration raids; his office’s investigations cite more than 1,000 human rights abuses in immigration detention.
[1] Senate Vote 7 (2025), Laken Riley Act[2] AJC: Collins vs. Ossoff key issues[3] GPB: Ossoff and Collins debate
Voting record
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Mike Collins
Voted for the House Republicans’ Parents Bill of Rights. His 2022 campaign said parents “should have the ultimate authority” over their children’s education.
[1] AJC: Collins vs. Ossoff key issues[2] Ballotpedia: Mike Collins
Voting record
Jon Ossoff
Pressed the Homeland Security secretary in 2023 to increase funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which helps religious institutions pay for physical security.
[1] Ossoff Senate office, Nov. 2023
Voting record
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Mike Collins
Wants to expand domestic energy production and reduce permitting requirements, and pledges to “continue down the road of energy independence.”
[1] AJC: Collins vs. Ossoff key issues[2] GPB: Ossoff and Collins debate
Voting record
Jon Ossoff
Criticized the rollback of federal policies supporting Georgia’s clean energy industry and has warned regulators against shifting data center power costs onto households.
[1] AJC: Collins vs. Ossoff key issues
Voting record
Georgia · 2026

Governor

Open seat (Gov. Brian Kemp is term-limited).

Download printable PDF ↓
Keisha Lance Bottoms
Democrat · Open seat
Former Atlanta mayor and former director of the White House Office of Public Engagement under President Biden.
Campaign website ↗
Rick Jackson
Republican · Open seat
Founder of Alpharetta-based Jackson Healthcare, a medical staffing company; first-time candidate.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Keisha Lance Bottoms
No public position found.
Rick Jackson
No public position found.
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Keisha Lance Bottoms
Has called for pausing new data center construction while Georgia develops policies. Wants AI to supplement young workers rather than replace them, and says patients should be told when AI reviews insurance claims.
[1] Atlanta News First: debate transcript[2] FOX 5: Keisha Lance Bottoms profile
Rick Jackson
Opposes a blanket data center moratorium; would approve projects only with community support, strict environmental standards and lower power bills or taxes for residents. Would use AI to cut wasteful state spending.
[1] FOX 5: Rick Jackson profile[2] Atlanta News First: debate transcript[3] Jackson campaign: Action Plan
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Keisha Lance Bottoms
Calls full Medicaid expansion a “day one priority” and would end the Georgia Pathways program. Supports a $15 statewide minimum wage.
[1] AJC: Governor debate takeaways[2] Bottoms campaign: Issues
Rick Jackson
Said at the October debate, “I am going to expand Medicaid to cover everybody,” without losing existing federal funds; earlier opposed full expansion, favoring work requirements. Has not backed a minimum wage increase, focusing instead on higher-paying jobs.
[1] AJC: Governor debate takeaways[2] FOX 5: Rick Jackson profile
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Keisha Lance Bottoms
Campaigns on repealing Georgia’s abortion law and restoring the pre-Dobbs Roe standard, calling abortion decisions “deeply personal.” Proposes expanding prenatal and postpartum care in underserved areas.
[1] AJC: Where Bottoms, Jackson stand on abortion[2] FOX 5: Keisha Lance Bottoms profile
Rick Jackson
Supports Georgia’s current abortion law, including its exceptions for rape, incest and the mother’s life. Reiterated that support after a recording surfaced in which he seemed open to further limits.
[1] AJC: Where Bottoms, Jackson stand on abortion[2] FOX 5: Rick Jackson profile
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Keisha Lance Bottoms
No public position found.
Rick Jackson
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Keisha Lance Bottoms
As mayor, barred the Atlanta city jail from accepting new ICE detainees. Supports “lawful and responsible collaboration” between local and federal police but “will not support ICE tactics designed to terrorize Georgians.”
[1] AJC: Where Bottoms, Jackson stand on immigration
Record in office
Rick Jackson
Pledges to make Georgia “number one in the nation for deporting all CRIMINAL illegal immigrants” and to partner with President Trump on enforcement.
[1] Jackson campaign: Action Plan[2] AJC: Where Bottoms, Jackson stand on immigration
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Keisha Lance Bottoms
No public position found.
Rick Jackson
Has endorsed Georgia’s participation in the federal tax credit program for donations to private school scholarships.
[1] FOX 5: Rick Jackson profile
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Keisha Lance Bottoms
Says Georgia should “slow down and reassess” data center expansion to protect utility bills and water resources, and calls for flood mitigation and reliable water infrastructure.
[1] Bottoms campaign: Issues[2] AJC interview with Bottoms
Rick Jackson
Would eliminate state taxes on residential electricity and natural gas, and require “strict EPA standards” for data centers.
[1] FOX 5: Rick Jackson profile[2] Atlanta News First: debate transcript
Free or Paid · Direct to Your Inbox

Follow the election with Letters from Leo

The most-read Substack on Pope Leo XIV and American politics. Subscribe here without leaving the page.

← All state voter guides