ATLANTA — U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and Rep. Mike Collins, his Republican challenger in Georgia’s 2026 Senate race, faced off in their first televised debate, with sharp disagreements over President Donald Trump’s policies, the economy and the Iran war. Ossoff repeatedly challenged Collins to defend his support for Trump administration policies, focusing on tariffs, Medicaid cuts and U.S. actions related to Iran. Ossoff argued the policies could raise costs for households, harm farmers and threaten health care in rural communities. At one point, he said 12 minutes had passed without Collins explaining how tariffs benefit Georgia families. Collins sought to cast Ossoff as too liberal for the state, criticizing his record and positions on immigration and voting requirements. He also tried to link Ossoff to Sen. Bernie Sanders and online commentator Hasan Piker, arguing they shared political values. The candidates exchanged personal insults. Collins called Ossoff a “trust fund kid” and a “radical.” Ossoff labeled Collins a “bigot” and a “Trump puppet,” and accused him of promoting neo-Nazi content online and hiring staffers with extremist ties. The debate’s sharp rhetoric left policy disagreements competing with attacks on each candidate’s character. On health care, Ossoff said he supports reversing Medicaid cuts that he said Collins backed. Collins countered that the Affordable Care Act had contributed to rising health care costs. They also disputed how the Iran conflict could affect Georgia agriculture and farmers. Ossoff called the war a disaster and pressed Collins to justify it. Collins said Trump was entitled to ensure Iran’s leaders do not obtain a nuclear weapon. Immigration and border enforcement produced another divide. Collins said the southern border was secure and accused Ossoff of supporting open borders. Ossoff said he had worked across party lines on border security, while criticizing the administration’s immigration enforcement and what he described as a lack of accountability. The candidates also argued over voter identification. Collins said voters should have to show ID at the polls, adding that Ossoff requires identification to attend his rallies. Ossoff invoked civil rights leader John Lewis, saying Collins would have been carrying a “billy club” if Lewis were marching in Selma today. On surveillance, Ossoff called for federal privacy protections against misuse of personal data by technology companies and automated license-plate reader systems, including Flock cameras. Collins said such cameras should not be used if they are being misused. Asked about Israel, Ossoff said there was “no doubt” Israel had violated the law of armed conflict, while emphasizing that he cares about both Israeli and Palestinian lives. Collins also raised artificial intelligence, describing U.S. competition with China as a race for leadership and warning against government overreach. Georgia’s Senate contest is among the closely watched races of the 2026 midterms. Early voting in the state is scheduled to begin Oct. 13, 2026.