Is this the new US President?

Although the 39-year-old politician is currently firmly ruling out the possibility of running for president, an increasing number of political analysts see him as someone capable of uniting the Democratic Party's different factions and challenging the Republicans in the race for the White House, the Daily Mail reports.

Ossoff's victory in the midterm elections was so decisive that the independent election-monitoring organisation Decision Desk HQ declared his re-election just 18 minutes after polling stations closed.

CNN political analyst Kasie Hunt immediately commented: "Tonight is Day One of Jon Ossoff's presidential campaign."

Obama's role

One of the reasons Ossoff is increasingly being mentioned as a potential presidential candidate is the strong support he enjoys from former US President Barack Obama.

In recent days, Obama has actively participated in the Democratic campaign, appearing at rallies in Michigan, Ohio and Georgia, where he described Ossoff as "the only sensible choice in this race."

At a rally on October 28, Obama went a step further, comparing the young senator to one of America's most famous political dynasties.

"And it's not just because he looks so polished. It's not because he looks like President Kennedy, so handsome on camera," Obama said. "It's because he learned from his mentor, who was also my mentor – one of the greats, John Lewis – what it means to get into a little good trouble. And that's exactly what he's doing on your behalf."

A hidden message?

Many interpret the former president's words as an important political signal. Obama himself entered the presidential race as a relatively young senator, and there are numerous similarities between his career and Ossoff's.

Obama was elected to the Senate as a representative of Illinois in 2004, while Ossoff first won his Senate seat in 2021. Both have distinguished themselves through their public speaking abilities, energetic public appearances and skilful use of the media. Before entering politics, Ossoff worked as a documentary film producer, and today he is particularly adept at using social media.

Interestingly, Ossoff is currently playing down his presidential ambitions in almost the same words Obama once used.

In April, he stated that he had "absolutely no interest in running for president in 2028", warning that speculation about the next presidential election could distract attention from pressing political issues.

Tanjug/AP Photo/Mike Stewart

The same question was put to him during a debate on October 13, when he was asked whether he would serve a full six-year term if re-elected. He replied: "Yes, I will. I have absolutely no interest in running for president."

However, as reported by Večernji list, history shows that such promises do not necessarily represent a final decision.

In January 2006, then-Senator Barack Obama also insisted that he would serve a full term. When an NBC host asked him, "So you will not run for president or vice president in 2008?", Obama gave a brief answer: "I will not."

Just a year later, he announced his presidential bid, and won the 2008 election.

What analysts say

Political analysts are also taking Ossoff's presidential prospects increasingly seriously.

Renowned polling expert Nate Silver said that the Georgia senator could be the best Democratic candidate for 2028.

"Ossoff was my first choice, and he would be the first person I'd pick," Silver said, arguing that Ossoff's strength lies precisely in his moderate political position.

In recent years, Democrats have been trying to expand their voter base into states that traditionally lean Republican, and politicians like Ossoff could have a significantly greater impact than more strongly progressive candidates.

Ossoff's campaign team particularly emphasised the fact that he is the "only Democratic US senator seeking re-election in a state carried by Trump".

Just how quickly Ossoff has become a serious name in speculation about the 2028 presidential race was also reflected in data from the online prediction market Kalshi.

On Tuesday evening, Ossoff overtook California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Ossoff has also already demonstrated that he is unafraid of direct political confrontation with Donald Trump. In August, he attracted considerable media attention when he called out the president over his close associate Natalie Harp and the controversy surrounding the presidential aircraft from Qatar.

He also claimed that Trump would rather "build his ballroom and travel with Natalie in their own flying palace" than do his job.

The remark infuriated the White House, while Ossoff's team viewed it as a political success.

At the same time, Ossoff is seeking to build his political profile around concrete issues, including child protection, healthcare policy and efforts to lower prescription drug prices.

According to Obama, Ossoff has even "exposed child abuse in Georgia's foster care system, helped pass legislation forcing technology companies to crack down on sexual predators targeting children, stood up to pharmaceutical companies and capped insulin prices for seniors."

Obama also said that, during his new term, Ossoff would fight against high prices, Trump's tariffs and the war in Iran, while pushing for stronger protections for voting rights.