Republican Rep. Mike Collins confronted Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff over his political alliances and policy positions during a heated Georgia Senate debate Thursday, as the candidates clashed over allegations of bigotry, immigration enforcement, taxes and election integrity.

Ossoff opened the hourlong Atlanta debate by accusing Collins of bringing “dishonor to our state through his personal bigotry and his widely documented ties to white nationalists.” He pointed to social media controversies involving Collins, former staff members and Collins’ son-in-law, who reportedly shared Nazi imagery online.

Collins rejected the accusations and said he had consistently condemned racism and antisemitism regardless of where they originated.

“I've condemned racism, antisemitism, hate. I don't care where the source is,” Collins said. “It's wrong. We have no place in this world for that.”

The Republican countered by questioning Ossoff's support for progressive Democrats, particularly Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, an outspoken critic of Israel. Collins argued that Ossoff's political alliances raised questions about his judgment.

“Imagine being a U.S. senator and out there recruiting, endorsing and supporting these people,” Collins said, arguing that they wanted to see Israel “wiped off the map.”

Collins also targeted Ossoff over his financial connections to billionaire Democratic donor Reid Hoffman, who has acknowledged past contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Republican portrayed the incumbent as a wealthy politician more connected to major donors than to ordinary Georgians.

“He's got an answer to those people. He doesn't have to answer to local people,” Collins said.

The candidates also clashed over the economy and the cost of living. Collins called Ossoff a “trust fund kid who's never had a job in his life” and argued that the senator lacked an understanding of the pressures facing businesses and working families.

Collins defended President Donald Trump's tax cuts, saying Americans should be allowed to keep more of their earnings as families contend with higher costs. Ossoff, meanwhile, criticized Trump's tariffs and other administration policies, arguing they were hurting Georgia consumers.

The government shutdown and its effects on disaster recovery also became points of contention. Collins accused Ossoff of supporting the 2025 shutdown and argued that it delayed assistance to Georgia communities recovering from Hurricane Helene. Ossoff attacked Collins over his support for Trump's policies, including the administration's approach to the war with Iran.

Immigration enforcement, rural hospital funding and election integrity were also among the issues dividing the candidates.

Collins criticized Ossoff's opposition to the SAVE America Act, legislation that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and impose additional voter identification requirements. Collins argued that stronger election safeguards would help restore public confidence in the voting process.

“People will go vote when they have confidence in our elections,” Collins said.

The debate comes as Ossoff holds a lead of nearly eight percentage points in the RealClearPolitics polling average, according to the figures cited in the race's polling tracker. The candidates are scheduled to meet again Tuesday, Oct. 13, the same day early voting is set to begin in Georgia. Election Day is Nov. 3.