TIFTON — Saturday was a busy day for U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, who appeared in Tifton and several other southern Georgia cities in efforts to garner more votes for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential race.

Ossoff spoke with area Democrats Saturday morning on North Tift Avenue, at a spot long popular for election campaigning.

Four years ago, he said, Georgia was a battleground state, which it is expected to be again this year. Ossoff reflected on both his win, and that of fellow Georgia Senator, Raphael Warnock.

“We could not have done it without Tift County,” Ossoff said.

Becky Taylor/The Tifton Gazette
Sen. Jon Ossoff encourages Tift County voters to vote for Kamala Harris during a Saturday morning speech.

He called this year’s election much more than Democrats against Republicans. “This is about the character of our country,” said Ossoff. Mentioning the events of Jan. 6, 2021, he said Donald Trump is “unfit for the presidency.”

In contrast to Trump, Ossoff said Harris had been using her power “to cast the deciding vote to cap the cost of insulin for seniors at $35 a month,” as well as casting the deciding vote “to make the most rigid investment in fighting climate change.”

Ossoff said Harris helped shepherd bills in the Senate for rural broadband access. “The things that really matter to people, the things that really matter to Georgia, she’s fighting for us,” he said, “and the other guy is just fighting for himself.”

He reminded voters that only a few days are left before the Nov. 5 election. “The whole country will be looking to Georgia,” Ossoff said. He told them to envision election night, watching news shows and seeing maps of their state.

“… They’ll show all the counties of Georgia,” Ossoff said. “They’re going to tap on the map and say, ‘Here’s Tift County. Let’s see what’s happening right here.’ If you can do this right here, and you can win the state of Georgia.” Georgia could decide the overall election, he said.

Ossoff posed for pictures after his speech, before heading to his next engagement in Valdosta.

Becky Taylor/The Tifton Gazette
Commissioner Melissa Hughes speaks Saturday encouraging early voting.

Before Ossoff gave his remarks, Commissioner Melissa Hughes spoke to the crowd. Both Hughes and Ossoff touted early voting, something that most in attendance had already done.

“Take four or more to the polls for ’24,” said Hughes, reminding everyone the early voting location is the Old Gym on Chestnut Avenue. “So guys, get your families, your friends, and get out and, what?,” she said, getting a unified crowd response of “Vote.”

Early voting continues until Nov. 1. Saturday, Oct. 27, however, was the last Saturday the polls will be open in Tifton.