John Oxendine, long the front-runner in the race, saw his candidacy fall down an elevator shaft. The insurance commissioner faded to fourth, finishing behind former state Sen. Eric Johnson. Handel, the former secretary of state, won 33 percent of the vote, and Deal, the former congressman, won 23 percent.
"Nobody believed we could take on the career politicians and the establishment and win," Handel told ecstatic supporters at about 11 p.m. "But you, you believed. And because you did, we're standing here tonight and we finished first today."
Handel's campaign was certainly elevated by Palin's endorsement, first delivered via Facebook on July 12 and then in an automated phone call to Republican voters. But Handel herself said she felt the momentum turning two months ago.
Deal had a heavy-hitter endorsement of his own, winning the support of former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Now, Handel and Deal will make a final three-week charge to decide the GOP nomination, and all eyes turn to an unusual place: Alaska. Does Palin, the former governor of that faraway state, fly to Georgia to rally -- and raise money -- for Handel?
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Handel, Deal survive first round in governor's race, head to GOP runoff
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