Politics: Meet Jon Ossoff, the 30-year-old who suddenly became one of the most talked-about politicians in America

Jon Ossoff has come seemingly out of nowhere to become the center of the first major referendum on Trump's presidency.

Everyone is watching Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff today.

The 30-year-old is challenging political veteran Karen Handel, who used to be Georgia's secretary of state, in a special election for the state's 6th Congressional district.

The election is seen as the first major referendum on Donald Trump's presidency because the district typically leans Republican. If Ossoff wins, the 2018 midterm elections could look ominous for Republicans.

See how a neophyte who's never held office became one of the most talked-about politicians of 2017.

Thomas Jonathan Ossoff was born on February 16, 1987, at the Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta.

Source: Jon Ossoff campaign website.

As a student at Atlanta's private Paideia School, Ossoff interned for Congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis.

Source: The New Yorker

While in high school, Ossoff also started dating his now-fiancée, medical student Alisha Kramer.

Source: The New Yorker

Ossoff and Kramer both graduated from Georgetown University, where he studied international affairs and she studied biology.

Source: Wikipedia/ImpatientOptimists.org

After graduating college, Ossoff got a master's degree from the London School of Economics.

Source: The Daily Beast

After grad school, he went back to Georgia and spent five years drafting legislation for US Representative Hank Johnson.

In 2013, he became managing partner and CEO of Insight TWI, an investigative film company which has produced investigations on corruption overseas. One recent documentary was called "Girls, Guns, and ISIS" and followed ex-ISIS sex slaves who were training for battle.

Source: Insight TWI

Ossoff announced his candidacy in January after learning that Tom Price was vacating his seat in the House of Representatives after being appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services.

He faces former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel, who has significantly more political experience.

The New Yorker writes he is known for "progressive positions on women's issues and health care" and "moderate stances on jobs and security."

Source: The New Yorker, Wikipedia

The election has turned into the most expensive in Congressional history, with $51 million spent. Ossoff's campaign has received $23 million of that.

His campaign style is often compared to Obama's.

If Ossoff wins, he will deal Republicans a major blow while also becoming one of the youngest Congressmen in recent memory.

Jon Ossoff has come seemingly out of nowhere to become the center of the first major referendum on Trump's presidency. Read Full Story