Democrat closes in on Congress seat in Georgia

Ossoff and Handel will meet in a runoff in June after neither candidate captured a majority of the vote for an outright win on Tuesday.

The National Right to Life Victory Fund was actively involved in the April 18 special election in Georgia’s sixth district.

“There are probably a large number of districts around the country where it would make sense to wrap both your arms around this president as a Republican”, Lake said. However, with 185 of the 210 precincts reported, Ossoff held only 48.3 percent of the vote – just short of the 50 percent he needed to become the first Democrat to represent Atlanta’s affluent northern suburbs since the 1970s. And while Handel tweeted thanking Trump for a call after last night’s election, it’s unclear whether his involvement is more of a help or a hindrance for her prospects – and other Republicans in tough races. Less than 100 days into the new administration, this election sends a powerful signal to Trump that the American people oppose his extreme agenda.

Republicans called Ossoff’s showing a failure to buy the seat, noting that he spent more than $8 million, and predicted Handel will prevail in a one-on-one runoff June 20.

Spicer said he was not yet sure whether Trump would campaign for Handel in Georgia.

Having Trump in the race would likely be welcomed by Democrats, who have energized volunteers on behalf of Ossoff due to their disdain for the president.

The Ossoff campaign was greatly hoping to avoid the runoff as Georgia’s 6th district has been a GOP stronghold for generations, and with a crowded Republican field, Ossoff hoped to benefit from the fractured Republican block.

DuBose Porter, chairman of the Georgia Democratic Party, said the district offers the flawless setting for Democrats to prove their momentum heading into 2018. “And while Republicans have their backs against the wall, Democrats will keep their foot on the gas through Election Day because the residents of Georgia’s 6district deserve a representative who will fight for them”, he said. “I think this was a big loss for them”. GOP voters, they predict, would be energized in a Republican vs. Democrat scenario, making it harder for Ossoff to run above the fray as he has leading up to the primary.

In fact, Trump arguably gave Ossoff his opening in the first place.

“This campaign no matter what the national press says is about local solutions before it’s about national politics“, Ossoff said.

Despite his late involvement in the race, President Trump never endorsed a Republican candidate. “His support will be critically important and should be looked at as a road map as we unify our party, bringing together Republicans and conservatives to stand against Democrats on June 20th”, she said. Werner reported from Washington.