Karen Handel concedes in Republican runoff for governor
The statement just arrived from her campaign:
I want to thank all of my friends, supporters, volunteers and my campaign team for a tremendous effort over the last 16 months. We ran a terrific campaign, beat the odds to come in first place in the Primary, and came so very close in the runoff election.
As of this morning, we are four tenths of a percentage point behind Nathan Deal with absentee ballots and overseas military votes yet to be counted.
We certainly have the option of requesting the automatic statewide recount. But we are not going to do that.
The best thing for our party is to rally around Congressman Deal as our nominee in the fight against Roy Barnes. Barnes would return Georgia to a past that is best kept in our rearview mirror. We must marshal all of our resources to defeat him.
I spoke with Nathan this morning and let him know that I endorse his candidacy and look forward to the fight against Barnes. I have also called on all who were supporting me to give their same commitment and energy to Nathan.
I thank the people of Georgia for the opportunity to serve them and for allowing me to interview for the job of Governor. This was an amazing journey, and the friendships that Steve and I made enriched our lives immeasurably. I look forward to finding a way to serve this great state in the future.
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151 comments Add your comment
shelbyjean
August 11th, 2010
12:00 pm
i will not vote for nathan deal. i wanted karen handel.
sls
August 11th, 2010
12:00 pm
Georgia already kicked Barnes to the curb one time. No need to have to go and take out the trash again. So let’s all get behind our next Governor, Nathan Deal!
GOP moving Forward
August 11th, 2010
12:01 pm
Good move by Handel and I for one am glad to see this college educated, ex-army officer, and experienced republican run for governor. N.Deal had my vote in the run-off and will likely have it in the general election. We need conservative leadership. Word of warning: Take note Nathan that Sonny was not an effective governor and we don’t need another term of his style of leadership. Lead the state Mr. Deal! That’s what you’ll be elected to do.
John K
August 11th, 2010
12:03 pm
One thing we know about the GOP’s big tent is that there will be cameras in all bedrooms, just to the “small government” party can make sure you don’t do anything icky in there.
Pappa Grizzly
August 11th, 2010
12:05 pm
Poor little momma grizzly. Never finished a single term for any office she was elected to — and now won’t be able to cut and run from the guv-ship. Now the GOP can focus on Nathan Deal and ensure that this state continues to make no progress on water, transportation or education.
Vote GOP in November. We need to continue our great treadition of not moving forward.
Winger
August 11th, 2010
12:07 pm
Karen, run as an independent. I’ll vote for you.
Ol Hummon
August 11th, 2010
12:07 pm
Don’t you worry none, Boy! Ol Deal will lead the state to exactly where it is going! Now y’all get back to work and leave the governing to us that’s on the inside. We’ll take good care of things.
Ooh La Lah
August 11th, 2010
12:09 pm
Yeah, he will lead the state to where it was when he was in his 50’s: Back to the 1950’s!
I'm an idiot and
August 11th, 2010
12:09 pm
I always vote Democrat! The Guvmint needs to do everything!
ordinary citizen extraordinary time
August 11th, 2010
12:09 pm
Sarah Palin was a turnoff to many Georgians…especially me…-when did she know Karen?–but the day is over…let us repair, forgive and get going on keeping Georgia with a REpublican and Conservative Governor….DEAL…Let us surround each other and the pledge of Handle and the pledge of Deal..let us work …hard for these next days before NOv ..Anyone want some Iced tea…It is hot in Georgia.
Atticus
August 11th, 2010
12:10 pm
Roy Barnes as Governor again? Seriously are you kidding?
Oh Yea
August 11th, 2010
12:10 pm
Roy Barns is the past and we voted him out for a reason. Go do research and remember how bad he was and how he spent spent spent. Remember how much of a union man he was and then take a good look at georgia and ask if we can take any more downturn. Roy tore apart the history of georgia against the will of the people without blinking an eye. Roy is for big government and will be Obamas clone. Is that not what most of us are figing against right now?
If you want to move forward then you dont go back and re-elect a governor who most could not wait to be thrown out of office. If you re-elect him then you deserve all the job-losses and higher taxes he will bring. Oh and dont forget the water you may want to drink. He has no clue but worse yet, simply doesnt care. He just has time on his hands and Obama needs a clown here in georgia who will be a yes man. Change? Not here in Georgia! We dont need any more of that change!
Tired of Yankee liberals
August 11th, 2010
12:12 pm
No comment – none needed.
Ooh La Lah
August 11th, 2010
12:13 pm
Now, if you will excuse me, i must burn a little left-handed smoke, out here on the liberal left coast. It is supposed to get into the mid-70’s today and i want to enjoy my reflections on my Goober state past and my real life in the real world.
Don’t try this in Dicksie!!!
The Goobernator
August 11th, 2010
12:14 pm
Karen just lost what little credibility she had left by endorsing Deal. Guess she had to drink the Republican Kool-Aid this morning along with her bitter “morning after” pill. That loyalty oath makes people say the craziest things.
khc
August 11th, 2010
12:14 pm
randy you don’t know squat about problems in our nation….repubs were at least 51% of the problem.
Carol Pitts
August 11th, 2010
12:14 pm
Classy lady, and though I voted for Deal, I appreciate her positive and unifying response in this close election.
Iconoclast
August 11th, 2010
12:15 pm
“…four tenths of a percentage point behind Nathan Deal.” Really Karen? That’s a much narrower percentage of the voters that the conservative gay suporters you were quick to throw beneath your campaign bus. Maybe we aren’t such an insignificant segment of the voting bloc, after all. Now all we have to do it keep the Grinch out from under our Gold Dome.
Erinn
August 11th, 2010
12:15 pm
I voted for Karen. I understand the public perception of the close race…but why should my vote not be counted? I am very upset by the process and Karen should have held out.
Annie R
August 11th, 2010
12:16 pm
Time to vote Libertarian, no way I’m voting for either Deal or Barnes.
Oh Yea
August 11th, 2010
12:16 pm
Yes the teachers have not forgotten, just most of them dont even know what he did. They were still in diapers and History is not taught in this state. State required history is BLACK HISTORY MONTH. Pass that and you have it made!
No I am not racist, I am a black educated professional so dont even go there.
DannyX
August 11th, 2010
12:17 pm
We need Nathan Deal to lead Georgia into the future.
He will stand up to Georgia Power. The recently installed Georgia Power smart meters are transmitting Big government spies all the information they need for the Big communist takeover. These meters are able to record your phone conversations. They know what porn sites you are visiting. They know everything about you. Big Brother is watching.
Also, Nathan Deal hates socialism. Nathan Deal will end the commie socialist Georgia Bulldog football program.
GET THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF OUR LIVES….
Elect Nathan Deal
Dave T
August 11th, 2010
12:18 pm
Dear Ms. Handel,
Please accept my sincere thanks for your quick and very gracious concession. Your statement proves you are interested in more than your own fortunes. You have quickly moved to unite Georgia Republicans behind Nathan Deal in what will be a critical fight for Georgia’s future. Politicians of your stature should be celebrated when they cross the stage of public office.
Please accept this as my hope for your great success in future endeavors.
Regards,
Dave T
I'm an idiot and
August 11th, 2010
12:19 pm
Ooh La Lah
August 11th, 2010
12:13 pm
Now, if you will excuse me, i must burn a little left-handed smoke, out here on the liberal left coast. It is supposed to get into the mid-70’s today and i want to enjoy my reflections on my Goober state past and my real life in the real world.
Understand how things are reeeeeaally going “just swell” on the left coast, right?
Bronson
August 11th, 2010
12:19 pm
Wow…The corrupt Nathan Deal wins GA…Moderate Republicans WILL NOT support this guy…Barnes wins!
deegee
August 11th, 2010
12:20 pm
Can’t wait to find out where Sarah Palin’s fight for the Constitution takes her next. I guess Karen Handel is going to have to get a job. Maybe Nathan Deal can give Karen a job in his salvage yard. Lord knows what Real Steal is going to get into next. God forbid he should be the next governor of Georgia.
General Sherman
August 11th, 2010
12:20 pm
Curious minds want to know what Deal promised Hnadel to stop her pursuit,Why not wait until the final votes were counted? Party unity my ass!
kathryne lee
August 11th, 2010
12:25 pm
Wow – What a choice we have. Two deadbeat unethical pieces of crap. Maybe it is time to take a look at the Libertarian. As long as we keep voting in career politicians, we are doomed as a state and a nation. Look what Democratic dominance did to this state’s education system for over 100 years. Did the Republicans do anything different? Think not. From Tom Murphy to Glenn Richardson there is nothing to proud of except for Zell Miller being the best Republican Governor this state has ever had.
LWC
August 11th, 2010
12:25 pm
Roy Barnes is the union boss for the educators and all other union affiiliations. He is a “has been” and will not be good for GA.
Montel
August 11th, 2010
12:26 pm
We don’t need anymore corrupt white politicians like deal running the state. sonny’s done enough. We need barnes back in office—he’ll take care of the interests of minorities. Deal will only protect his white friends to make more money.
Randy
August 11th, 2010
12:26 pm
It’s pretty sad that all these people that are commenting on here, are wasting all that unnecessary energy complaining! no matter which of these two people get into are government office, It’s start from the top down in with are great nation leaders! until we all as a nation come together as one, and do the back ground checks, an ground work, on the fine men and women they say they are, that want to campaign for the leadership position of are great country! then dig deep! into the lives of these folk’s, before they are allowed to campaign, you will find that allot of these people that want to run, will run the other way once they know, that there dirty laundry will be thrown out into the public eye first! if they choose to run for a government job or position. It’s only fair to the American people to truly know who we are putting into office, let’s do are home work! and get are country turned around! We only show weakness to are surrounding Countries, by arguing with each other, we need to always show and know, that we are the Greatist country in the world to live in.
kathryne lee
August 11th, 2010
12:26 pm
LWC – Neither will Deal!!!!
Brown Eyes
August 11th, 2010
12:27 pm
As a State Employee for 23 years , this State can not have another Rebublican Governor. No one knows just how BAD it has been for 8 years unless you work in the Government and see all that goes on that is wrong. Yes, I Love my job, I do my job well but we need a good leader and that will be Roy Barnes in November !
T Knight
August 11th, 2010
12:27 pm
I can not and will not vote for Deal.The libraterian will get my vote.
kathryne lee
August 11th, 2010
12:28 pm
why do you think Casey Cagle didn’t run? He was threatened with dirty laundry being hung out to dry if he did by his own party. get a grip people. they are all cut from the same cloth.
whatever
August 11th, 2010
12:31 pm
The real question is what exactly does Karen want from Mr.Deal with such a quick decision to concede…..hmmmmmm
Corrupt Washington Relic?
August 11th, 2010
12:32 pm
I am having a hard time reconciling how Karen can not just support, but immediately endorse, the man she has claimed was a corrupt Washington relic. This is party politics at its worst and, frankly, I’m very disappointed that she chose party over ethics.
DannyX
August 11th, 2010
12:33 pm
“I think clearly if you look at the record there are some issues of corruption here,”
Karen Handel on Republican nominee Nathan Handel.
(Coming soon to televisions all across the state.)
Real Athens
August 11th, 2010
12:34 pm
Randy. Follow your own advice. Please.
Brown Eyes
August 11th, 2010
12:34 pm
Sorry, got so personal about my job, spelled Republican wrong ! Who cares. It doesn’t matter anyway !!!!!!! Best of Luck to you ROY!!!!!!
fildawg
August 11th, 2010
12:35 pm
John Monds for Govenor: http://www.votemonds.com/
Carl
August 11th, 2010
12:36 pm
Georgia is screwed with Roy Barnes
jdawg34
August 11th, 2010
12:38 pm
I know of a bunch of teacher votes…extended family….guess what? They are not voting for Barnes….we have boat ramps, horse rinks, you name it…how quickly he forgot too….so count us in Deal….we will see what you can do…..and oh, I dont think many old timers have forgotten about the flag…
Georgia Republicans for Roy Barnes
August 11th, 2010
12:39 pm
I cant believe Handel concedes to Deal my vote really going to Barnes. Deal is not to be trusted he is corrupted.
ROY BARNES for GOVERNOR
August 11th, 2010
12:41 pm
I am so happy that Karen Handel is
………………………………………………. history.
James
August 11th, 2010
12:46 pm
Voting for Nathan Deal amounts to putting your head in the red Georgia clay because you don’t want to hear about how corrupt he really is. Kinda reminds me of OX and Mitch Skandalkis. GOPers will not vote for Deal knowing what he has said and done.
GO Roy, time cleanup the republican manure.
Jack in Sandy Springs
August 11th, 2010
12:54 pm
Am very enthusiastic (sarcasm) — a choice between a has been ex Governor and a fossilized former Congressman! Two Jurassic era candidates! I would take Skandalakis any day over either of them, at least he had fresh ideas and a fighting spirit! So what he lied to the feds, so did Martha Stewart, big deal. Wonder what type of deal Handel made to concede so quickly, time will tell, time will tell……..
Fred
August 11th, 2010
12:58 pm
Despite the loss suffered most unfairly by the righteous Sarah Palin, I have prayed and the LORD has instructed me to offer my support to the newly annointed GOP SAVIOR, NATHAN DEAL.
Roy Barnes is unfit to lead this great state. Look only to those that have crowned him “King Roy” and you will see that he and his followers want to supplant the ONE TRUE KING – JESUS CHRIST – with a cross-eyed mop-top secular humanist.
Roy Barnes is the DEVIL INCARNATE.
HE WILL ABORT YOUR CHILDREN UNLESS THEY AGREE TO SPEAK MEXICAN.
HE WILL FORCE YOUR SONS TO MARRY ONE ANOTHER.
HE WILL ALLOW THE ATLANTA FILTH TO ENTER OUR GODLY COUNTIES.
HE WILL MAKE US SIT AT THE TABLE WITH THE UNWASHED MEXICANS.
HE WILL ENCOURAGE THE GAYS TO FORNICATE IN PUBLIC.
HE WILL RAISE TAXES ON CHURCHES.
HE WILL DESTROY ALL THAT WE HOLD DEAR.
This is a HOLY WAR.
And also, he is a lawyer and lawyers always cause trouble.
jconservative
August 11th, 2010
1:01 pm
In looking at your map I note Handel took the metro areas and Deal the rural. My county is rural and went for Deal. So did I.
I just could not bring myself to vote for Handel after she had the opportunity to denounce the vote threatening Georgia to secede from the United States, and elected not to do so. She is to close to al Quaeda for my taste.
Unless Deal denounces that vote he will not get my vote.
Fred
August 11th, 2010
1:02 pm
<<<<<<< wow, am I an idiot.