The Republican chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission says he’s supporting Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff’s reelection bid, the latest Republican to cross party lines in Ossoff’s race against Rep. Mike Collins.
Donald Chase, a bow-tie-wearing Oglethorpe peanut farmer and lifelong Republican, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Ossoff’s support for Georgia farmers had earned his vote.
Specifically, Chase lauded the Democrat’s efforts to preserve funding for overseas food assistance involving peanut-based products. Although those efforts failed to reverse cuts made by the Trump administration, Chase said the senator’s willingness to fight for the industry won his support.
“We don’t necessarily elect a party,” Chase told the newspaper. “I like to support people that I can get behind and believe in.”
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More than half of the peanuts produced in the U.S. last year were grown by Georgia farmers, according to the Georgia Peanut Commission, which conducts research and lobbying efforts to support the state’s peanut industry. Chase was elected to the five-person board in January, and is still backing a slate of other Republican candidates on the midterm ballot.
He clarified that his statements were his own, and don’t necessarily reflect the opinions of the more than 4,000 peanut-farming families in Georgia.
Collins’ campaign didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Other Republicans backing Ossoff include Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson and Tifton Mayor Julie Smith, who credited his efforts to bring federal resources to Georgia. In Toccoa, the city commissioner and former mayor Gail Fry has also endorsed him, citing Ossoff’s help with funding to replace aging natural gas infrastructure.
Former Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona endorsed Ossoff as well, expressing concern about Collins’ refusal to recognize Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.
“Endorsements overall are overrated,” Flake told The Washington Sun last month. “But cross-party endorsements can help and have helped in the past. I think it’s a smart strategy.”
Collins retains the backing of many major Republican leaders.
President Donald Trump endorsed Collins before his June primary runoff against former football coach Derek Dooley. Gov. Brian Kemp, who initially supported Dooley, endorsed Collins this month, arguing that Ossoff’s agenda does not represent Georgia’s values.
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