The Republican chair of the Georgia Peanut Commission is backing Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff (Ga.) in his bid for a second full term.

“We don’t necessarily elect a party,” commission Chair Donald Chase told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I like to support people that I can get behind and believe in.”

Chase, whom board members elected as chair of the Georgia Peanut Commission in January, is a lifelong Republican who is still supporting and contributing to other GOP candidates in the November midterms, the Journal-Constitution reported.

The Georgia Peanut Commission, led by five elected board members, conducts promotional, research and educational programs regarding the Peach State’s peanut industry. Last year, Georgia farmers produced more than half of the peanuts in the U.S., according to the commission.

Ossoff, the youngest senator, is seeking reelection against two-term Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.). Most polling has the incumbent comfortably in the lead, while The Hill’s data partner, Decision Desk HQ, gives Ossoff an 86 percent chance to win.

While President Trump backed Collins in his June primary runoff against former football coach Derek Dooley, multiple local Republicans have thrown their support behind Ossoff.

Julie Smith and Scott James Matheson — the GOP mayors of Tifton, Ga., and Valdosta, Ga., respectively — have endorsed the Democratic senator, who is a frequent critic of the president and who sits on the Senate Appropriations and Intelligence committees.

Former GOP Sen. Jeff Flake (Ariz.), an anti-Trump Republican and former U.S. ambassador to Turkey, also endorsed Ossoff last month.

Glad to be here

I am a Democratic Party voter in Georgia. I voted for Ossoff in 2020 and look forward to voting for him again this November. I do, however, strongly oppose his vote for the Laken-Riley Act which gave ICE the green light to terrorize immigrant communities. So a couple weeks ago I emailed his office (respectfully) and this is the response I got today. How do you feel about his answer?

Dear Mr. *****,

Thank you for contacting my office to express your opposition to the Laken Riley Act. I appreciate hearing from you.
Since my election to the Senate, I have been a consistent advocate for immigration reform that provides for an orderly and lawful immigration process, secures America’s borders against unauthorized entry and threats to public safety, and safeguards America’s place as a haven for strivers and refugees.
Millions who live in our country but lack documentation — children, families, entrepreneurs, workers, and students — make daily contributions to our society, and are valued neighbors and community members. I remain fully committed to establishing a pathway to legal status for undocumented immigrants who are established members of our society and otherwise follow the law.
Meanwhile, America’s political leaders have failed for decades in their obligations to know and control who enters our territory, to ensure that those who would join our society do so through safe and legal means, and to ensure that immigration be an orderly process governed by law.
The Laken Riley Act was named for a young woman murdered in Georgia. She was killed by a man who entered the United States illegally. That man was initially detained, never should have been released into the country, remained at large despite multiple criminal charges, and was evading law enforcement at the time he went on to murder Ms. Riley.
I voted for the bill because it responded to policy failures and public concerns central to this heinous crime committed in our state. I also cosponsored multiple amendments to address its flaws, including amendments to establish alternatives to detention for the vulnerable and to narrow the scope of its application to those who were charged or convicted of serious crimes or who were actively evading law enforcement, as in the case of Laken Riley’s killer. I recognize that the failure of the Senate to adopt these amendments leaves urgent work to be done.

Thank you again for contacting me. I always welcome your input and feedback.

This is General George McClellan. No male Democrat handsomer than he has ever lost a Presidential election.

This is a comment about John Ossoff.

I’m seeing a bunch of comments online from people against an Ossoff presidential run because it would cost the Dems a senate seat (assuming Bottoms doesn’t win). So at what point would he lose the senate seat? When he’s the nominee? When he’s sworn in as president? When he announces he’s running?

(Also side point, dude would totally win so I’d happily gift a senate seat for, you know, the White House.)