Karen Handel (R) was declared the winner of Tuesday's special election for Georgia’s 6th Congressional District, the seat previously held by Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price.
Handel defeated her opponent, Democrat Jon Ossoff, by only 3.8 percentage points, a far cry from the victory margins Price pulled for years. But the race was notable for one other major reason: It was the most expensive congressional House race ever. According to campaign data, more than $50 million was spent on the race, the majority of which was spent on television and radio advertising.
Despite their narrow loss, Democrats declared the race a “moral victory” for their party. It was a sign that President Donald Trump’s presidency and his failure to enact a legislative agenda is hurting the GOP at the grassroots level, they said.
However, for Republicans, it was another actual victory, something they’ve become accustomed to since the midterm elections in 2010. So when Democrats began to discuss the “moral victory,” conservatives and Republicans on Twitter had lots of fun and laughter at Ossoff’s — and the DNC’s — expense.
Laughing my #Ossoff— Kellyanne Conway (@Kellyanne Conway)1498012920.0
Planned Parenthood sponsors thousands of abortions per year. Add Ossoff's campaign to the list.— Ben Shapiro (@Ben Shapiro)1498010826.0
Dems now 0-4 in all their "referendum" special elections,but hey there's a bright side.. they tell me they're 4-4 in moral victories. #maga— Donald Trump Jr. (@Donald Trump Jr.)1498011144.0
Planned Parenthood - We need every last cent for women's healthcare Also planned Parenthood - $730,000 flushed down the toilet on Ossoff— Stephen L. Miller (@Stephen L. Miller)1498014905.0
Democrats huddling to decide whether to blame Ossoff's loss on: - Putin - Misogyny - Scott Walker - Google - Deplorables - James Comey #GA06— Liz Wheeler (@Liz Wheeler)1498010923.0
Is there a way we can convince Ossoff to run in 2020 for president?— Ben Shapiro (@Ben Shapiro)1498015729.0
What really would have changed things tonight for Ossoff was some more celebrity endorsements and robo calls.— Meghan McCain (@Meghan McCain)1498011865.0
Are we tired of winning yet?!!! #GA06— Liz Wheeler (@Liz Wheeler)1498010586.0
So...how long till Russia is pegged as the reason Ossof lost? #GA6— Brandon Morse (@Brandon Morse)1498011290.0
Brb just inflating my life raft to survive the great snowflake meltdown of 2017 in #GA06— Liz Wheeler (@Liz Wheeler)1498011769.0
What you need is to run where you live, child. https://t.co/mSUxVV6GWk— John Podhoretz (@John Podhoretz)1498011713.0
The networks should start projecting moral winners.— Guy Benson (@Guy Benson)1498012313.0
Georgia’s special election wasn’t the only Republican victory Tuesday night. Ralph Norman (R) defeated Democrat Archie Parnell in a special election for South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District, a seat previously held by Trump’s budget director, Mick Mulvaney.
Later this year, there will also be special elections for seats vacated by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) and Attorney General Jeff Sessions (R), who previously served as the junior senator from Alabama.