Why Jon Ossoff isn’t making a comeback in Georgia’s 6th

Born Thomas Jonathan Ossoff, he was raised in metro Atlanta. His interest in politics was first stirred as a 17-year-old. He earned degrees from Georgetown University and London School of Economics. He worked with U.S. Rep. John Lewis as an intern in his teens. In undergrad, he volunteered for U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson’s 2006 campaign. The Democrat entered the race in Georgia’s 6th Congressional District in January 2017. At 30, he shattered records by raising nearly $30 million for the special election

Democrat Jon Ossoff said Friday he won’t make another bid for Georgia’s 6th District this year, leaving it up to lesser-known contenders to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Karen Handel in the north Atlanta district.

“I’m grateful beyond words for the support and hard work of the thousands of Georgians who volunteered with my campaign last year,” he told the AJC, “and I’ll be actively supporting Democratic candidates and staying engaged on key issues while I continue my work in investigative journalism.”

Ossoff shattered records by raising nearly $30 million for the special election last year, ultimately losing to Handel by about 4 percentage points in a race that was viewed nationally as an early barometer for Democratic success in conservative-leaning districts in the Donald Trump era.

The former congressional aide had hinted for months he was eyeing another bid for the seat, telling groups of Democratic donors he's "not done fighting." But with qualifying set to start in less than two weeks, and two Democratic challengers already in the race, there seemed little chance of him jumping in.

Read more: Ossoff isn't seeking a comeback bid for Georgia's 6th District