![/// CAPTION:Democratic congressional candidate Jon Ossoff is seen with supporters outside of the East Roswell Branch Library in Roswell, Ga., on the first day of early voting, Monday, March 27, 2017. The postelection dominoes of President Donald Trumps administration picks and a California Democratic appointment have created five openings in the U.S. House of Representatives, including the Republican-leaning 6th Congressional District outside of Atlanta. Democrats believe Ossoff, 30, has a shot based on Trumps underperformance and the candidates early fundraising success. (AP Photo/Alex Sanz)[unknown.png][unknown_1.png]ALEX SANZASSOCIATED PRESS TELEVISION NEWSASANZ@AP.ORG[cid:44442C73-57D8-4C6F-AB06-7A002D37CBF0] [cid:C13A27B9-4FD1-47CB-9988-5E2CFDF955F4] 101 MARIETTA STREET NWATLANTA, GA 30303(404) 353-5439ASSOCIATED PRESS TELEVISION NEWS IS THE INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION DIVISION OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, THE WORLD'S OLDEST AND LARGEST NEWSGATHERING ORGANIZATION. VIDEO CAPTURED BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CAN BE SEEN BY OVER HALF OF THE WORLDS POPULATION ON ANY GIVEN DAY.CLICK HERE TO SEND NEWS TIPS, DOCUMENTS OR OTHER FILES SECURELY AND CONFIDENTIALLY TO AP.](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/jon-ossoff-profile.jpg?w=804)
As Tuesday’s special election to fill an open House seat in Georgia drew closer, President Donald Trump upped his attacks on Jon Ossoff, the Democratic candidate leading the race.
The President recorded a robocall for the Republican National Committee urging Republican voters to get out to the polls on Tuesday, but did not endorse a specific Republican candidate.
“Liberal democrats from outside of Georgia are spending millions and millions of dollars trying to take your Republican congressional seat away from you. Don’t let them do it,” Trump said on the call, according to The Hill. “Only you can stop the super-liberal Democrats and Nancy Pelosi’s group, and in particular Jon Ossoff. If you don’t vote tomorrow, Ossoff will raise your taxes, destroy your healthcare, and flood our country with illegal immigrants.”
Trump’s robocall came as he fired off several tweets about the race to fill the House seat vacated by Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price.
Late Monday night, Trump said that a runoff would count as a victory for the GOP, given the crowded Republican field. (Tuesday’s race will function as a jungle primary, with candidates from all parties competing against each other, and if no candidate clears 50 percent, the top two will head to a June runoff.)
With eleven Republican candidates running in Georgia (on Tuesday) for Congress, a runoff will be a win. Vote "R" for lower taxes & safety!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2017
Trump followed up Tuesday morning and singled out Ossoff.
Democrat Jon Ossoff would be a disaster in Congress. VERY weak on crime and illegal immigration, bad for jobs and wants higher taxes. Say NO
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2017
Republicans must get out today and VOTE in Georgia 6. Force runoff and easy win! Dem Ossoff will raise your taxes-very bad on crime & 2nd A.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2017
During a Monday night interview on MSNBC, Ossoff offered a mild criticism of Trump.
“It was one of the most divisive and destructive presidential races in U.S. history and I think that many have been hoping that the president will heal some of those wounds, show good faith and a more inclusive approach to governance,” Ossoff told MSNBC’s Chris Matthews when first asked about Trump. “So far, I don’t think that he’s allayed those concerns among those who believe that that divisive approach to government is not right for the United States.”
Asked again to describe Trump, Ossoff said, “I have great respect for the office. I don’t have great personal admiration for the man himself.”
When asked yet again, Ossoff said he does not know Trump personally but that he would be willing to work with the President on an infrastructure package.
Ossoff has been leading the crowded field by a wide margin, but polls show him falling short of the 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff. Democrats have been hopeful from the outset that they can use anti-Trump energy to flip the ruby-red district Democratic, especially given that Trump only won the district by one point in November.
