Trump Triumphs, as Republican Karen Handel Handily Defeats Dem Jon Ossoff

In what must be seen as another triumph for President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for Congress, Karen Handel, defeated the Democrat, Jon Ossoff, in Georgia’s special election for the House.

Handel’s victory came on the heels of a Democratic try to promote the race — which was widely watched around the nation — as a referendum on Trump.

Well, guess what: It was.

From NBC News:

“Handel’s victory in the closely fought contest, which drew national interest and was the most expensive House race ever at over $50 million spent by both sides, comes as good news for President Donald Trump. Democrats had promoted the contest as a referendum on the president.

“With 99 percent of the vote counted, Handel leads Ossoff 53 percent to 47 percent in a race that many expected to be much closer. Handel had 127,021 votes to the Democrat’s 114,390 ballots.

“In her victory speech, Handel offered ‘a special thanks to the President of United States of America,’ as the crowd began chanting Trump’s name.”

Trump tweeted out his congratulations to Handel.

Congratulations to Karen Handel on her big win in Georgia 6th. Fantastic job, we are all very proud of you!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 21, 2017

Handel, meanwhile, in her victory speech, also drew loud cheers for her announced intent to “finish the drill on health care.”

And fellow Republicans were quick to note her win as a face-slap to Democrats.

Again, from NBC:

“”Democrats from coast to coast threw everything they had at this race, and Karen would not be defeated,” said House Speaker Paul Ryan.

“Once the outcome was clear, Ossoff took the stage to announce he had called Handel to concede — drawing boos from the crowd.

“Ossoff said this ‘small community here in Georgia, which has become the epicenter of politics — sometimes to my chagrin,’ had sent a message.

“‘As darkness has crept across this planet, (you) have provided a beacon of hope for people here in Georgia and people around the world,’ Ossoff told his supporters. “We showed the world that in places where no one thought it was even possible to fight, we could fight.’

“Democrats may try to call the outcome a moral victory, but it doesn’t change the fact that they’re 0-4 for congressional races this year, even after spending millions of dollars and whipping up a hyper-motivated base.

“‘Race better be a wake up call for Democrats — business as usual isn’t working,’ tweeted Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA). ‘Time to stop rehashing 2016 and talk about the future.’

“Rarely, if ever, has a single congressional race attracted this much attention or been freighted with so much meaning.

“Under the gaze of the national and even international press, voters cast ballots in Georgia that they knew would be interpreted as a referendum on Trump, the GOP healthcare plan winding its way through Congress, and much more.

“With more than $50 million in spending, the race easily shattered the record for the most expensive House race — by more than $20 million — as money flowed in from around the country. Final spending numbers are likely to be even higher once the full data is released.”

The main takeaway from all that?

Democrats are 0-4 in congressional races this year — since Trump has taken the White House. And try as they might, spend as they will, voters aren’t buying the leftist message.