Karen Handel Concedes Georgia GOP Governor Runoff to Nathan Deal

By: Kevin Hechtkopf
Topics: Campaign 2010

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Karen Handel speaks to supporters during an election-night party Tuesday Aug. 10 2010 in Atlanta.

(Credit: AP)

Former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel has conceded her gubernatorial primary to former Rep. Nathan Deal. With almost 600,000 votes cast in the Republican runoff election yesterday, Deal led Handel by less than 2,500 votes.

In a statement, Handel says she won't request a recount even though she trails by just four tenths of a percentage point. An unknown number of provisional, overseas and military ballots have yet to be counted as well.

Deal, who resigned from the House earlier this year in order to run for governor, will now face Democratic nominee Roy Barnes, who served as Georgia's governor from 1999 to 2003.

"The best thing for our party is to rally around Congressman Deal as our nominee in the fight against Roy Barnes," Handel said in the statement. "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."

Interactive Map: CBS News Election 2010 Race Ratings

The race between Handel and Deal attracted endorsements from several high profile Republicans. Deal won the backing of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former GOP presidential contender Mike Huckabee, while Handel won the backing of former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer.

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Kevin Hechtkopf
Kevin Hechtkopf is CBSNews.com's politics editor.
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by sharkteeth10 August 12, 2010 3:00 PM EDT: Not to rain on all the Palin bashing but she was polling 23%, last place behind Deal AND Oxendine, until the Palin endorsement.; Reply to this comment


by texasborndemo August 11, 2010 3:23 PM EDT: way to go Palin keep up the good work,you're really helping the candidates get elected,maybe I'll ask you to come endorse me someday,on second thought,I'd better pass,cause where I come from they would throw rocks at you.; Reply to this comment

by myopinionpal August 11, 2010 1:54 PM EDT

Large yard sale today in Atlanta got plenty of " Sarah Palin Mama Grizzly endorsements" for sale anybody want one?

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by shocker49 August 11, 2010 2:23 PM EDT: What are they....10 cents a piece????


by shocker49 August 11, 2010 1:32 PM EDT: You'd have to be pretty stupid to have Sarah Palin endorse you. There should be a separate place just for stupid people. Also, if anyone thinks that the repubs are more corrupt than the dems, or vice-versa, there should be a special place for you as well. You'd have to be a fool to trust any poltician, from either party.; Reply to this comment

by mec6951 August 11, 2010 1:19 PM EDT

Maybe Handel shouldn't have been "palling around" with Palin and Brewer, the "Mama Grizzlies". Bet that lost her more votes than it gained. She got what she deserved. When you lay down with dogs, you get up with fleas.

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by chevyhotrod August 11, 2010 1:42 PM EDT: "When you lay down with dogs, you get up with fleas"

Does this also apply to Rev. Wright and President Obama?


by hologram5 August 11, 2010 12:33 PM EDT: Showing incredible class and doing what will help the party the Woman candidate who had every legal right to ask for a recount concedes once again showing and proving that Sarah Palin even in defeat is more graceful and has more class then the Liberals have in victory
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WTH are you talking about?!? Bonehead Palin isn't the one that conceded. It was Handel's honor that led to her concession, NOT palin's. Palin has no honor, really...; Reply to this comment