Oppenheimer: Why Ossoff Has Earned Our Support

While we all have been inundated the past couple months with information and misinformation about the candidates seeking to represent Georgia’s 6th Congressional District, I am amazed at how many people I talk to who know very little about Jon Ossoff.

I have known Jon Ossoff and seen him in action for 11 years and know firsthand the depth of experience he has on Capitol Hill and his strong support for the state of Israel and the U.S.-Israel strategic relationship.

In 2006, I worked with Ossoff on the campaign that removed Cynthia McKinney from Congress. Jon served as campaign communications director for Hank Johnson, while I was a volunteer and strategist.

From 2007 to 2012, Ossoff worked as a national security aide to Congressman Johnson, during which time he earned a top-secret security clearance. Ossoff drafted and managed legislative initiatives that passed the House and Senate.

During these years, I personally lobbied Johnson with Ossoff at the table to support legislation crucial to strengthening the U.S.-Israel strategic relationship and strengthening the security of both countries.

During Ossoff’s tenure, Johnson consistently voted to support foreign aid and security assistance to Israel, supported eight resolutions to progressively tighten economic sanctions on Iran, voted in favor of a two-state solution resolved directly by the Israelis and the Palestinians, and supported other measures to strengthen the U.S.-Israel strategic partnership and Israel’s security in the greater Middle East.

With five years’ experience in the U.S. Capitol working on national and international issues, Ossoff will arrive on Capitol Hill prepared to work immediately on issues critical to the 6th District. Ossoff’s politics are thoughtful and pragmatic.

Ossoff earned a master of science from the London School of Economics, where he wrote his thesis on trade relations between the United States and China.

Since 2013, he has been the managing partner and CEO of an investigative documentary company exposing government corruption and organized crime for international news organizations. Ossoff was an executive producer for a documentary film for the BBC that exposed atrocities committed by Islamic State in Iraq.

He brings solid experience to Capitol Hill from working in our nation’s capital on national and international issues, earning a master’s degree in international trade relations, and working on exposing government corruption.

His strong commitment to support Israel and his pragmatic views on politics make him the ideal person to represent us in the 6th District. Jon Ossoff has earned our support in the runoff June 20.

Steve Oppenheimer is a former Democratic candidate for the state Public Service Commission who remains active in Democratic politics.