In Georgia Race, Abramoff Claims Latest Victim

Ralph Reed barely finished his concession speech when press accounts began fingering Jack Abramoff for Reed’s failure. Reed — Jack’s longtime political companion, who was running for Georgia Lieutenant Governor — appears to be the first electoral casualty of the Abramoff scandal.

CQPolitics: “[I]t appears that the sweeping scandal involving convicted Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff has claimed its first casualty at the polls this year. . . ”

Wall Street Journal: “The Abramoff scandal appeared to claim its first electoral victim with the defeat of former lobbying ally and Christian Coalition director Ralph Reed in Georgia’s Republican primary to pick a candidate for lieutenant governor.”

AP: “Former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed struggled to overcome his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff in his bid Tuesday for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor of Georgia[.]”