In Georgia, Democrats still optimistic after latest defeat

DUNWOODY, Ga. — After a special election frequently termed by the media as a “referendum” on Republican leadership, Karen Handel’s victory in Georgia’s 6th Congressional District proves the GOP is still the dominant party in Georgia.

Democrats spent $30 million on the race, mostly in out- of- state contributions, and claimed a moral victory. Jon Ossoff’s 48 percent showing in a Republican stronghold is proof that they’re actually making progress toward making Georgia a genuine battleground, they said.

“This was not a cakewalk for them,” Ossoff supporter Jen Cox said. “And it never will be again. That’s the win for us today.”

Handel backers hailed Tuesday’s results as confirmation that the district remains solidly in the party’s grasp. “Karen was able to pull Republicans back together,” said Jim Phillips, a 69-year-old retiree from Marietta who has volunteered on several Handel campaigns.

He doesn’t expect the district’s leanings to change in the coming years either, betting that its makeup of welleducated voters will give Republicans “with a strong platform, a good history and a good record” a path to victory.

That leaves Georgia Democratic Chairman Dubose Porter and other Democrats claiming some hope from Ossoff’s defeat as both parties look ahead to the 2018 elections, when Democrats will try to dent Republicans’ monopoly on statewide offices and the legislature. All of the state’s congressional seats, including Handel’s, will be on the ballot as well.

South Carolina Democrats are seeking the same silver lining after Archie Parnell lost a congressional special election there Tuesday night by essentially the same margin as Ossoff.