ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - One of the first polls released in Georgia’s nationally watched U.S. Senate race shows Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff with moderate approval numbers but Republicans divided over their choice of a champion.

The poll among 624 registered likely voters over Sept. 9-12 was conducted by Quantus Insights, and has a margin of error of 4.3 percent. It shows Ossoff’s ratings at 47 percent approval, 37 percent disapproval and 16 percent undecided.

“The Republican field, however, is unsettled,” said Jason Corley, lead pollster. “[U.S. Rep.] Mike Collins shows the strongest early position. [U.S. Rep.] Buddy Carter is close behind. Derek Dooley, the outsider coach, has potential but lags in electability.

“Yet the striking fact is this: six in 10 voters cannot name which Republican has the best shot to unseat Ossoff,” Corley said. “That tells us two things: the GOP has not chosen its champion, and the perception of electability is still wide open.”

In an Ossoff/Collins race, the poll shows the race is dead even at 38 percent apiece. Against Carter, Ossoff clings to a 40-37 percent lead. Against Dooley, Ossoff leads 42 percent to 35 percent. In every case, nearly one in five voters remains undecided.

“Collins has the strongest hand,” Corley said. “Carter is competitive. Dooley is trailing, but with the undecideds this high, he is far from out of the fight.”

Corley said the economy will be the race’s biggest deciding factor.

“A majority, 53 percent, call the cost of living and inflation the greatest problem facing the state,” he said. “Groceries, housing, and taxes are the pain points. When asked what the next senator should do to cut costs, the answer was not new programs or new agencies, but one thing: cut taxes on working families.

“The people want relief, not rhetoric. The Republican who speaks directly to this burden will have an open field,” Corley said.

Corley also said the poll shows Ossoff could be vulnerable on the issues of immigration and crime.

“Independents will decide this race,” he said. “They are disillusioned with Ossoff but unconvinced about the Republicans. They make up much of the undecided bloc in every matchup. Whichever Republican can marry an economic message of relief with credibility on immigration and security will carry this center ground and the election.

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“The lesson of September 2025 is this: Georgia’s Senate seat can be taken,” Corley said. “But only if Republicans sharpen their message, rally the undecided, and crown a champion.”

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