GOP chair of Georgia Peanut Commission backs Ossoff for Senate

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.

“I’m still a conservative Republican. But character matters. And I want someone in that seat who takes the institution seriously and will protect the institution,” Flake told the Journal-Constitution .

Ossoff has repeatedly said he is not considering a 2028 presidential run , telling MS NOW’s Jen Psaki last month he has “zero interest” in seeking the Democratic nomination.

The first Democratic primary in South Carolina is set for roughly a year after Ossoff would begin a second term, if he defeats Collins in November.