US: five days to the midterms — Barack Obama rallies for Democrats in Georgia
On November 3 the entire House of Representatives and 35 Senate seats are up for election. Former president Barack Obama held a rally in Morrow, Georgia, backing Senator Jon Ossoff and gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms.
The United States holds its midterm elections on November 3, 2026. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 Senate seats (33 regular and 2 special), and 39 governorships are being contested. Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress, with Donald Trump in the presidency.
Obama in Georgia
On October 28, 2026, former president Barack Obama held a rally at an 8,000-seat arena in Morrow, Georgia. He backed Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, who is seeking re-election, and gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms, a former mayor of Atlanta. Senator Raphael Warnock also spoke at the event. "These are serious times. We need serious people who are listening to your concerns," Obama said.
The Georgia races
In Georgia, Senator Jon Ossoff is running against Republican Representative Mike Collins for the Senate seat. In the governor's race, Keisha Lance Bottoms faces Republican Rick Jackson. The Cook Political Report rates the Senate race as "likely" Democratic and the governor's race as a "toss-up." According to CBS News, Ossoff entered the race with $25 million in cash on hand.
Why it matters
Midterm elections are held halfway through a presidential term and often reshape Congress. If Democrats gain three seats in the House and four in the Senate, they would take control of the respective chambers, directly affecting the legislative room of President Donald Trump's administration. The results could also influence US policy on issues including diaspora and immigration.
