McCain wins Georgia, Senate Race Heading for Runoff
Republican John McCain claimed Georgia’s 15 electoral votes, beating back Democrat Barack Obama’s drive to turn the GOP stronghold blue. The win in Georgia was bittersweet. McCain already has conceded defeat to Obama, who’s now White House bound. But GOP Senator Saxby Chambliss wasn’t strong enough to avoid a runoff election. He finished with less than 50% of the vote.
Published: November 5, 2008
Updated: November 5, 2008
ATLANTA (AP) - Republican John McCain claimed Georgia’s 15 electoral votes, beating back Democrat Barack Obama’s drive to turn the GOP stronghold blue. The win in Georgia was bittersweet. McCain already has conceded defeat to Obama, who’s now White House bound.
Obama’s campaign assembled a strong grassroots operation in Georgia and was so encouraged by early voting turnout that it invested in a last-minute advertising blitz in the state. But an Obama win in Georgia was always an uphill climb. Southerner Bill Clinton was the last Democrat to win the state 16 years ago.
Georgia’s powerful Republican turnout operation has trounced the Democratic opposition in recent years and it delivered again on Tuesday.
But GOP Senator Saxby Chambliss wasn’t strong enough to avoid a runoff election. He finished with less than 50% of the vote. Chambliss and Democrat Jim Martin will meet again December 2. Voters will also have to decide a runoff in the contest for a vacant judgeship in Georgia.
For full election results, click here.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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