50 Facts About Jon Ossoff

Early Life and Education

Jon Ossoff's journey began in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was born on February 16, 1987. His early years were shaped by a blend of diverse influences and strong educational foundations.

1. Jon Ossoff was born to Heather Fenton, an Australian management consultant, and Richard Ossoff, a Harvard graduate who owns a publishing company in Atlanta.
2. At 16, Ossoff was inspired by a biography of civil rights pioneer John Lewis and volunteered in Lewis’s legislative office, which significantly influenced his life.
3. Ossoff attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he studied at the School of Foreign Service and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2009.
4. After completing his freshman year at Georgetown, Ossoff worked as a legislative aide in the office of U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, helping with Johnson’s campaign and advocating for the use of the Internet and social media.
5. Ossoff earned a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2013.

Career in Filmmaking

Before diving into politics, Ossoff explored the world of investigative journalism and filmmaking. His work in this field showcased his dedication to uncovering the truth and addressing critical issues.

6. Before entering politics, Ossoff worked as the managing director and chief executive of Insight TWI, a London-based filmmaking company.
7. Insight TWI produced investigative documentaries on topics like judicial corruption in Ghana and human trafficking in South America.

Political Beginnings

Ossoff's first foray into politics was marked by a high-profile congressional race that garnered national attention. His determination and resilience were evident from the start.

8. In 2017, at the age of 29, Ossoff ran for Georgia’s 6th Congressional District seat, inspired by his experience with John Lewis and his belief in the importance of young people engaging in politics.
9. Ossoff lost the 2017 special election to former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel in one of the most expensive House races in history.

Senate Campaign and Victory

Ossoff's persistence paid off when he decided to run for the U.S. Senate. His campaign focused on key issues that resonated with voters, leading to a historic win.

10. Two years later, in September 2019, Ossoff launched a bid to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. David Perdue in the 2020 general election.
11. When neither Ossoff nor Perdue secured at least 50% of the vote, a runoff election was held on January 5, 2021. Ossoff narrowly won the runoff, along with fellow Democrat Raphael Warnock, securing a narrow Senate majority for the Democrats.
12. At 33 years old, Ossoff became the youngest Democrat elected to the Senate since Joe Biden, who was 29 when he won election to the Senate.

Personal Life

Ossoff's personal life is marked by his strong family ties and his ability to connect with a younger generation through social media.

13. Jon Ossoff is married to Alisha Kramer, an obstetrics and gynecology resident at Emory University. They have one daughter, Eva Beth, born in December 2021.
14. Ossoff has been described as able to effectively appeal to young people through his use of social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter, earning him the nickname "the first Extremely Online senator".
15. His social media posts from the previous decade have attracted renewed attention, including references to Star Wars, the musical group Imagine Dragons, and anime.
16. An "adoring" Instagram account of self-declared "simps" expressing affection toward Senator Ossoff was reported by Vogue in January 2021.
17. An "Ossimp Patrol" on Twitter monitors "Ossoff simps" and replies to their tweets with an ActBlue link prompting to donate to Senator Raphael Warnock's 2022 reelection campaign and get out the vote organizations in Georgia and Texas.

Political Positions and Legislative Achievements

Ossoff's political positions and legislative achievements reflect his commitment to progressive causes and his ability to work across party lines.

18. According to The New Yorker, Ossoff has progressive positions on women's issues and healthcare, as well as moderate stances on jobs and the economy.
19. Since his election, Senator Ossoff has passed into law more standalone bills than any other freshman Senator, focusing on issues like mental health services, public safety, and veterans' care.
20. Ossoff has championed legislation to strengthen mental health services and public safety, addressing the opioid epidemic and investigating unsolved lynchings and Civil Rights murders.
21. He has led bipartisan investigations exposing mistreatment of military families living in privatized housing and corruption in Federal prisons, as well as advocating for improved mental health care services for veterans.
22. Ossoff has upgraded and strengthened health care facilities across Georgia, helping pass legislation that capped the cost of insulin for seniors at $35/month.
23. He has passed bipartisan legislation to protect kids from online exploitation, ensuring safer digital environments for children.
24. Through his legislative efforts, Ossoff has attracted thousands of advanced manufacturing jobs and billions of dollars of investment to Georgia, promoting economic development in the state.
25. As part of the historic bipartisan infrastructure law, Ossoff has delivered an unprecedented expansion of broadband internet access, upgraded ports, airports, roads, bridges, and water infrastructure statewide, and invested in the resilience of Georgia’s coast to help local communities prepare for storm surge, coastal flooding, and tropical storms.

Advocacy for Veterans and Military Families

Ossoff's dedication to veterans and military families is evident through his legislative efforts and personal involvement in addressing their concerns.

26. Focused on improving the lives of Georgia’s veterans, servicemembers, and military families, Ossoff has passed into law bipartisan legislation to expand veterans’ access to mental health care and upgrade child development centers for military families and barracks for enlisted personnel.
27. Before entering politics, Ossoff led a small business that produced investigative journalism exposing war crimes, public corruption, human trafficking, and organized crime.
28. In his first year in office, Ossoff inspected many of Georgia’s military installations, meeting with both senior commanders and junior enlisted personnel to address concerns about housing conditions for military families.
29. He has worked to hold private contractors and the Department of Defense accountable for housing conditions at Georgia bases, ensuring better living conditions for military families.
30. Ossoff has championed Georgia’s veterans, holding VA leaders accountable and co-leading legislation to ensure combat veterans receive the benefits they’ve earned. He has also demanded answers from Atlanta VA leadership over lost mail, broken phones, and barriers to care.
31. Ossoff has co-led legislation to improve veterans’ mental health care and reduce veteran homelessness, addressing critical issues affecting military personnel.

Response to COVID-19

During the pandemic, Ossoff's efforts were focused on supporting small businesses and addressing the rise in violent crime.

32. During the pandemic, Ossoff’s office helped Georgia small businesses directly with casework to secure over a million dollars in Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) needed to keep them afloat.
33. In March 2021, Ossoff pressed FBI Director Christopher Wray to determine and assess the forces driving the increase in violence across Georgia, and he followed up to hold him accountable a few months later.
34. Ossoff secured pledges from several top law enforcement agency nominees to personally visit Georgia and coordinate efforts between Federal and local officials to distribute resources and knowledge to address the rise in violent crime.
35. In July 2021, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation backed by Ossoff to provide more funding for services and programs to help victims of violent crime, including programs that serve victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking, and child abuse.

Legislative Sponsorship and Committee Assignments

Ossoff's work in the Senate includes sponsoring various bills and serving on multiple committees, reflecting his broad range of interests and commitment to public service.

36. As a senator, Ossoff has introduced several bills aimed at addressing various national issues, including the Think Differently Database Act, the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act, and the FIFA World Cup 2026 Commemorative Coin Act.
37. Ossoff serves on several committees, including Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Judiciary, and Armed Services, among others.
38. He has sponsored bills such as the Fort Gordon Cyber Center Enhancement Act, the Georgia Citrus Development Act of 2023, and the Refund Equality Act of 2023.

Bipartisan Efforts and Economic Development

Ossoff's ability to work across party lines has led to significant legislative achievements, particularly in economic development and public transit planning.

39. Despite being a Democrat, Ossoff has demonstrated a commitment to bipartisan work, collaborating with Republicans to achieve meaningful legislative results for Georgia.
40. Ossoff’s legislation to help communities plan public transit systems passed Congress and became law, enhancing urban mobility and sustainability.
41. His bill to extend the deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program relief funding for small businesses helped ensure Georgia businesses could keep their doors open and protect their employees during the pandemic.
42. Ossoff has championed the Right to Vote Act, which creates the first-ever voting rights protections for Americans, ensuring equitable access to the ballot box.
43. In his first year in office, Ossoff’s office helped secure over a million dollars in EIDL for small business owners in Georgia, aiding them during the pandemic.
44. Ossoff has pressed for accountability from the FBI Director regarding the rise in violent crime across Georgia, ensuring that law enforcement agencies are held responsible for their actions.
45. He has secured commitments from top law enforcement nominees to personally visit Georgia and coordinate efforts between Federal and local officials to address violent crime.
46. The bipartisan legislation backed by Ossoff has increased funding for services and programs helping victims of violent crime, including those affected by sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking, and child abuse.

Focus on Military Housing and Veterans' Services

Ossoff's dedication to improving the lives of military families and veterans is reflected in his legislative efforts and personal involvement.

47. Ossoff has inspected many of Georgia’s military installations, addressing serious concerns about housing conditions for military families and working to hold private contractors and the Department of Defense accountable.
48. He has demanded answers from Atlanta VA leadership over issues like lost mail, broken phones, and barriers to care, ensuring better services for veterans.
49. Ossoff has co-led legislation aimed at improving veterans’ mental health care and reducing veteran homelessness, addressing critical issues affecting military personnel.
50. Through his legislative efforts, Ossoff has attracted thousands of advanced manufacturing jobs and billions of dollars of investment to Georgia, promoting economic development in the state.

Jon Ossoff's Impact and Legacy

Jon Ossoff's journey from a young volunteer in John Lewis’s office to becoming the youngest Democratic senator in 40 years is a testament to his dedication to public service. His legislative achievements and bipartisan efforts have significantly impacted various sectors, from healthcare and veterans' care to economic development and infrastructure improvement. Ossoff's ability to connect with young people through social media and his progressive stance on key issues make him a unique figure in American politics. His work has attracted thousands of advanced manufacturing jobs to Georgia, improved mental health services, and upgraded healthcare facilities. Ossoff's commitment to veterans, law enforcement coordination, and victim services funding showcases his dedication to making a difference. As a senator, he continues to inspire young people to engage in politics and advocate for progressive causes, leaving a lasting legacy in American politics.