Victory sealed by Republican Karen Handel in key Georgia vote
A closely contested congressional election has been won by US Republicans in Georgia, the election has been seen by many as a referendum on Donald Trump’s presidency.
The Atlanta seat was won by Karen Handelt with 53% of the vote, against 47% for her Democratic rival Jon Ossoff.
The vacancy had arose, when Tom Price had left to become health secretary. Mr Price had won the seat with a 23 point lead.
Republican Ralph Norman had beat Democrat nominee Archie Parnell in South Carolina which is considered a solidly conservative area.
President Trump through a tweet had congratulated both Republicans. On the victory in suburban Atlanta, he tweeted: “Congratulations to Karen Handel on her big win in Georgia 6th. Fantastic job, we are all very proud of you!“
The sixth district of Georgia is a traditionally safe Republican seat however Democrats have had hoped to capitalise on the president’s low approval ratings.
Both candidates, spending on the campaign has been put at $56m (£44m), which made it the most costliest congressional election in US history.
Already the Democrats have suffered narrow defeats in Kansas and Montana this year.
Ms Handel while addressing jubilant supporters, thanked key Republican figures, including President Trump.
She said “I need to also thank Speaker Ryan and the House leadership and so many of the members across this country. And a special thanks to the President of the United States of America.“
Talking to his supporters Mr Ossoff said that they had provided “a beacon of hope for people here in Georgia, for people across the country, and for people around the world.“
While talking to his supporters Mr Ossoff said that they should celebrate having turned a conservative stronghold into a competitive district.
He said “We showed the world that in places where no one thought it was even possible we could fight“
He had narrowly failed to win the 50% which is needed to secure outright victory in a first round, which had forced the run-off against Ms Handel. She had come a distant second in the first round, but the Republican vote had been split among 11 candidates.
Republicans on the other hand had believed the run off would favour them in an affluent seat which they have held ever since 1979.
Conversely the Republicans had faith that last week’s shooting of Republicans on a Virginia baseball field would count in their favour at the polls.
The suspected gunman had been a Democratic supporter and a Republican advert that sought to politicise the attack was condemned by Ms Handel.
On the other hand the South Carolina fifth-district seat, which had been vacated when Mick Mulvaney became Mr Trump’s budget director, had been expected to be an easy win for Republicans.
So far the Republicans have staved off defeats by the Democrats this year.
In April they had narrowly defended a deeply conservative Kansas seat which had been vacated when Congressman Mike Pompeo had been appointed by Mr Trump to lead the CIA.
Last month, Republican Greg Gianforte won a special congressional election in Montana, despite being charged with assaulting a UK reporter.
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