Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff (D.) has allocated more than $2,800 in campaign funds this year for makeup services provided by a Hollywood veteran whose credits include major films like The Notebook and The Hunger Games, according to federal finance records reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon.
The senator's campaign paid Stephanie Ponder, an Atlanta-based artist and member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, $2,887 since February. This includes a $900 payment on June 10, the most recent disclosure shows.
Hollywood Credentials and Campaign Expenses
Ponder's resume, listed on her IMDb page and a profile on production directory SHOOTS, includes work on Remember the Titans, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and the 2023 DC film Shazam! Fury of the Gods. She most recently contributed to Netflix's 2026 series His & Hers.
Ossoff's spending surpasses that of other prominent lawmakers. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) reported $1,837.93 for similar services this year, while Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.) spent $320. Ossoff's payments, including $1,087.33 following an April rally in Augusta, Ga., align with high-profile campaign events.
Political Implications and Public Image
The expenditures emerge as Ossoff, 39, faces Republican Mike Collins in a competitive reelection bid. Recent media profiles have highlighted his carefully crafted on-screen persona, with Puck noting his "beefier physique" and "Obama-like cadence." New York Times columnist Ezra Klein praised his campaign videos' use of "hero shots" to project authority.
Despite this polished image, Ossoff positions himself as a populist on the trail. In May, he criticized Vice President J.D. Vance as lacking "credibility as a champion for America's working class." Notably, Ponder also worked on Hillbilly Elegy, the film adaptation of Vance's memoir.
Ossoff's campaign has not responded to requests for comment on the nature of Ponder's services. The payments rank among the highest for makeup in federal politics this cycle, though the exact purpose remains unspecified.