A poll from zpolitics and Clout Research shows Democrat John Ossof with an early lead in the race to replace now-Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price. With 32%, the Democrat led former Secretary of State Karen Handel, who took 25%, and John’s Creek Councilman Bob Gray at 11%. Former state Senator Judson Hill was close behind at 9%.
The results of the poll sent shock-waves through those watching the Congressional race, as the district is considered a relatively easy win for Republicans. Donald Trump won the district by only 2 points, but Price carried it by over 20 in his most recent re-election. Considering the losing streak Dems are on statewide though, it’s easy to see why this poll would be music to their ears.
Ossof though was the only Democrat listed in the poll, when in reality there are seven total running for Price’s seat. If Ossof is unable to quiet his competitors and unite the party behind him before April 18th, then his chances of clawing his way into a runoff are slim.
Likewise the poll named does not name all the Republicans who have entered the race such as David Abroms, a political newcomer who has promised to pump $250,000 of his own money into a campaign.
The poll is good news for Handel, who seems to have the most name recognition of the Republicans on her side, though an early lead could see her under attack as rivals attempt to drag her down. It is also good news for Republicans in general – 45% of respondents identified as conservative or very conservative, while fewer than 25% identified as liberal or very liberal. Likewise 57.5% of the district had a favorable opinion of President Trump and a 61% favorable opinion of Tom Price. Even if Ossof, with his close connections to current Congressmen John Lewis and Hank Johnson, manages to make it into a runoff, the district still leans hard to the right and should be a ‘big league’ win for whichever Republican emerges from a bloody and expensive contest.
