Washington (CNN) – Georgia Republicans have a nominee for governor after former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel conceded the GOP primary Wednesday to ex-Rep. Nathan Deal.
While less than 2,500 votes separated the two candidates in this primary runoff election, Handel told Deal late Wednesday morning that she would not request a recount as allowed under state law if the margin remained under one percent. As of Wednesday, the difference between Deal and Handel was 0.4 percent.
The telephone call, brokered by a mutual friend, lasted for about 10-15 minutes and Handel "said she would encourage her supporters to show the same excitement and enthusiasm for Nathan's candidacy as they did for hers," Deal spokesman Brian Robinson told CNN.
Handel, in a prepared statement released by her campaign, said she decided to forgo a challenge because it was important "to rally around Congressman Deal as our nominee in the fight against Roy Barnes.
"Barnes would return Georgia to a past that is best kept in our rearview mirror. We must marshal all of our resources to defeat him."
Roy Barnes is a former governor, who was the clear victor in the July Democratic primary.
The race made national headlines when several potential 2012 Republican presidential candidates weighed in on it. Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney endorsed Handel, while Mike Huckabee and Newt Gingrich backed Deal.
From CNN Politics
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Now we keep Barnes from having another crack at destroying our state! NJ has led the way with what they learned, keep the Democrats out of the governor's seat and you see immediate improvements in your state.
This is Palin's feminism? Will Deal do the same thing if this happens in November against Barnes?
Any day that a Sarah Palin backed candidate looses is indeed a good day.
Another Palin protege bites the dust.
Maybe we're learning!
Good for her.... Sarah Palin lost it for you sweetheart.... Next time, please tell her to stay far away, and you might have a chance to win...
Is this the power of Sarah? What a wastage of time and money! A loser is always a loser.
What a classy lady. Too bad she lost a close one. Hopefully she'll run again and win.
Alright,,,a Palin choice down in flames- what a woman! Sure climbed on board another loser just because she's female. Isn't choosing or promoting because of gender illegal? Oh I know – only if its a Dem and and a male! Right? Go home to Alaska and take care of your kids instead of expounding your brainless ideas! Nobody cares what you say!
looks to me like theres not enough "momma grizzlies" in georgia. lol!
Wait...wasn't she a pick of the "Midas-touch" Wasilla killbilly!?
Anybody other than who Palin endorsed!
Now Georgia, since you're starting to show a little common sense, vote for Roy Barnes. Let's get Georgia out of the Red Zone and into the Blue. After all, if we want America to go forward, we need to put our votes in D, not R which is reverse.
GOP moving farther to the right. Good for racists and bad for country.
I wish all right wing nut case republicans failure and a brain!
hahahaha...yup Palin is the kiss of death.
Handle should have never let Palin be on her side, Word to the wise! Anyone who works with Palin will lose the race!!!
President Obama had a great night beating again the Clintons, McCain, and Sara Palin. I hope this will make Sara Palin go home and take care of her Adams Family.
Another Palin endorsement in the toilet. Yippee!!!!
Great photo. She is right next to the dumpster where she belongs.
Palin endorsed her that's why she lost. Anybody notice she seems to be endorsing just women lately. The republican party is anti woman and will never let Palin have any real authority.
Sara Palin is losing her Stardom power is fading away – She only won one out of three last night. I hope she will go home now and starting taking care of that Adams Family she have in Alaska.
Another kiss of death endorsement from palin.
It looks like Ms. Handel's opponent "Brought It On," and she couldn't fight back. You can thank Silly Sarah Karen.
I'm liking that Hair Helmet & Bimbo's candidate lost. The candidate endorsed by the two smarter, unelectable guys won.
Sister Sarah backed another loser. Or did handle lose because of palins endorsement? Hmmm.....
Congratulations to Handel, a classy move, rare in these parts.