Former Rep. Nathan Deal has a lead of fewer than 2,500 votes over Karen Handel in that GOP runoff for governor in Georgia. That’s with 99% of precincts reporting. Deal has 50.2% to Handel’s 49.8%.
Late Update: TPM Reader KE reports in from the field:
Handel’s closing in on Deal because she’s stronger in the big suburban and urban counties, mainly Fulton (Atlanta), which is where she was the county commission chairwoman. And those counties returns tend to come in later, here in Ga.
But, if Deal does hang on, I’d add his victory to your good-night-for-Dems narrative. Deal’s saddled with ethical issues, and likely not to be as popular in the ‘burbs — a much better candidate for former Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes to face off against in his comeback attempt.
Later Update: This one will go to tomorrow at least. Deal isn’t declaring victory, and Handel isn’t conceding defeat. Remember, this is the runoff, so it’s already the second time they’ve had at it.
