CNN predicts Handel Wins Over Ossoff
Republican Karen Handel is projected to win Georgia’s special congressional election to fill the seat vacated by Tom Price, now Donald Trump’s HHS Secretary. But in a district Price won less than a year ago by a 68-31 margin, Handel’s slim win is a strong warning to the GOP. Democrats should take this result as proof that a good candidate, a strong focus, and a plan can dramatically improve chances in districts they once thought they could never even dream of winning.
At 10 PM Handel is about five points over Ossoff.
Democrats had hoped Jon Ossoff would win and the election would be seen as a clear rebuke of President Donald Trump’s policies, especially the Republican plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare.
Ossoff, 30, had almost won the first special election in April, garnering 48.1 percent of the vote. A majority was required, and on Tuesday he faced off against the former Republican Secretary of State.
Ossoff spoke to voters as a moderate while taking a strongly Democratic stance in the race for a seat that has been held by a Republican since 1979, including by by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.
For example, on health care, Handel stood solidly against ObamaCare, saying “Congress needs to repeal and replace Obamacare before the entire program collapses, leaving tens of millions of us in jeopardy.”Â
But Ossoff offered this position, appealing to health care consumers, and to business owners:
“One, no American should suffer or die from preventable or treatable illness. Two, no one should go broke because they get sick. And three, no business should go under or lay off employees because it can’t keep up with health insurance premiums.”
The race drew national attention, and the cash poured in. Estimates say over $50 million will have been spent in the district of about 700,000 people, north of Atlanta.
Democrats were optimistic they could possibly win the Georgia 6th district because its residents are among the most-educated in the county, a demographic that generally votes Democratic. But historically it has for four decades voted Republican. The difference in 2016 is Trump won it by only one point. Previous GOP presidential candidates won the district by about 25 points or more.
The district is 71 percent white, and about 13 percent each Hispanic and Black.
Handel made several mistakes during the campaign, but likely she will be most remembered for proudly saying during a debate, as a defining issue between progressives and conservatives, “I do not support a livable wage.”Â
Handel in 2012 almost single handedly ruined the reputation of breast cancer nonprofit Komen for the Cure when she tried to defund its support of Planned Parenthood. She later penned a book attacking Planned Parenthood, titled, Planned Bullyhood. In it, she calls Planned Parenthood a “schoolyard thug.”
Ossoff, a filmmaker who once interned for Congressman John Lewis, a civil rights icon from Georgia, has a masters from the from London School of Economics. Ossoff also served U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson as a a national security staffer.
To comment on this article and other NCRM content, visit our Facebook page.Â