Republican Karen Handel Wins Georgia Special Election
In a major victory for the Republican Party (GOP), Karen Handel won Georgia’s special election Tuesday, defeating Democrat Jon Ossoff. Her win is being touted by Republicans as a referendum on President Donald Trump.
Handel, who previously served as Georgia’s secretary of state, secured 52 percent of the vote to defeat Ossoff. Her win protected GOP’s majority in the 24-seat House and their hold on the 6th Congressional District in Atlanta’s northern suburbs, retaining a seat that has been with the Republicans since 1979, Politico reported.
In her victory statement Tuesday night, Handel said:
I am truly humbled by tonight’s results and I am honored to represent this great district in the United States House of Representatives. I will ensure the conservative legacy and leadership of Tom Price, Johnny Isakson and Newt Gingrich will continue. I want to thank all of my steadfast supporters who worked so hard and also my opponent Jon Ossoff, who ran a spirited campaign and I want to thank him for his commitment to public service.
These are challenging times in our nation. We are facing real and serious issues – from terrorism, protecting our borders to curtailing government spending. Tonight, voters recognized these are times that call for someone who brings real experience – in career and in life.
I know this has been a hard- fought election and I give Georgians this promise, I will work together with anyone who wants to create a better path forward for Georgia families and I will fight each and every day to make your lives better.
Trump posted a tweet praising Handel for her victory.
He also posted another tweet thanking Fox News for saying: "Huge win for President Trump and GOP in Georgia Congressional Special Election.” In a typical fashion, the 70-year-old Republican continued his tweetstorm praising his 'Make America Great Again' campaign.
The 55-year-old Handel is the latest Republican who has represented the district, beginning with Newt Gingrich, who went to become House speaker, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Responding to the idea about the election being a referendum on the Trump presidency, Gingrich took a swipe at Ossoff: “This is a referendum on if enough money can invent a person to win a special election,” the Washington Post reported.
In a series of tweets hours before the election, Trump tried to woo voters to elect Handel, promising lower taxes, great healthcare, and strong security. He also criticized Ossoff, alleging the latter wanted to raise taxes to the highest level and was weak on crime and security.
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Many Republicans, including Donald Trump Jr. and Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, congratulated Handel for her victory on social media.
Tuesday was a good day for Republicans. In another victory for the Party in South Carolina, Ralph Norman defeated Democrat Archie Parnell in a neck-and-neck race to secure the House seat.
Norman led Parnell by 51 percent to 48 percent — a margin of just over 2,700 votes, Fox News reported. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and former South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint campaigned for Norman while Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez campaigned for Parnell, a former Goldman Sachs tax adviser.
The president instantly took to Twitter to congratulate Norman for his victory.
On the other hand, Parnell posted a tweet saying that the election did not turn out the way his team wanted it to be.
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