Jon Ossoff

More than 1,000 supporters gathered Saturday at Trustees' Garden as U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms urged Georgians to back Democratic candidates in this year’s elections, focusing their message on healthcare affordability, the economy and voting rights.

The event drew local elected officials, business owners, veterans and community members who shared personal stories before Ossoff and Bottoms took the stage.

Throughout the afternoon, speakers argued that rising healthcare costs, economic uncertainty and federal policy decisions have affected Georgia families and small businesses. Ossoff and Bottoms also criticized Republican leadership in Washington and Georgia while outlining Democratic priorities ahead of the November election.

Bottoms centered much of her remarks on affordability, describing her upbringing in Georgia and connecting her family’s experience to what she said are the challenges many residents face today.

She said her administration would prioritize expanding access to affordable housing, increasing teacher pay, supporting caregivers and investing in workforce development and technical education. She also pledged to support small businesses and expand access to pre-kindergarten.

“We need someone in the governor’s office who understands that struggle,” Bottoms told the crowd, referring to families facing rising costs.

Ossoff devoted much of his nearly 25-minute speech to health care costs, the economy and what he described as government corruption, repeatedly tying those issues to President Donald Trump’s administration and Republican challenger U.S. Rep. Mike Collins.

Opening his speech, Ossoff argued that many Georgians continue to struggle with the rising cost of groceries, rent and healthcare despite Trump’s campaign promises to lower prices. He also criticized the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits, saying higher insurance premiums have left many Georgians paying more for coverage or losing it altogether.

Georgia has the second highest uninsured rate in the nation, according to the United Health Foundation.

He later shifted to foreign policy, criticizing the administration’s recent military actions involving Iran and questioning whether the conflict aligned with Trump’s campaign pledge to keep the United States out of new wars.

Ossoff framed the election as a choice between accountability and what he called a “coin-operated” political system.

“American politics is coin-operated,” Ossoff said. “Money goes in, favors come out.”

He closed by urging Democrats to remain engaged through November, telling the crowd that Georgia voters have the opportunity to reelect him to the Senate while sending Keisha Lance Bottoms to the governor’s office, a pairing he argued would better position Democrats to advance their agenda statewide.

Several local speakers also described how federal policy has affected their lives and businesses.

Dora Jenkins, founder and CEO of Savannah-based footwear company Soul of Blaq Pearl, said changing tariff policies have created uncertainty for her small business, which relies on overseas manufacturing for extended-size women’s shoes.

Jenkins said fluctuating import costs have made it more difficult to plan inventory, hire employees and keep prices affordable for customers.

“Small businesses like mine should not be going at it alone,” she said.

Megan Menesale, who said she recently lost her job, spoke about the cost of maintaining health insurance through COBRA after her employment ended. She said rising premiums have forced difficult financial decisions and urged voters to prioritize healthcare affordability in the upcoming election.

Before the speeches began, attendees said they were motivated by concerns over the economy, healthcare and civil rights.

Heather Clendenin, a Savannah resident, said she attended because she wanted to support Democratic candidates and believed issues such as healthcare costs and food prices have become increasingly difficult for many families.

City of Savannah District 4 Alderman Nick Palumbo, who works with local small businesses, said he hoped to hear how Democratic candidates plan to support entrepreneurs and protect federal services that coastal Georgia depends on, including weather forecasting.

Others, including Army veteran Charles Ritter, said they attended to hear directly from the candidates and to learn more about their vision for the state despite not being eligible to vote in Georgia.

The rally concluded with both Ossoff and Bottoms urging supporters to volunteer, organize and vote in this year’s election.

Ansley Franco is a reporter with the Savannah Morning News, covering public safety and general assignments. You can reach her at [email protected].