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Republican Raffensperger Wins Georgia Secretary of State Runoff Election

Brad Raffensperger / @BradForGeorgiaSOS Facebook
December 4, 2018

Republican Brad Raffensperger has defeated Democrat John Barrow in the runoff to become Georgia's next secretary of state, taking the office once held by Governor-elect Brian Kemp (R.).

With 93 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday night, Raffensperger led by about 75,000 votes. The Associated Press called the victory around 10:20 p.m.

Raffensperger has pledged to fight voter fraud and maintain the integrity of the state's election systems through strict record-keeping practices. The state lawmaker said he was humbled by the victory.

"I'm very humbled and very honored to have won this race tonight," he said in a victory speech. "We couldn't have done it without y'all, and we couldn't have done that without the blessing of the Lord."

His victory comes nearly a month after Democrat Stacey Abrams was defeated in her race to become Georgia's governor with  national Democratic support. Despite help from notable Democrats like Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Kamala Harris (Calif), Barrow couldn't pull off the upset.

The race took on added significance in the aftermath of widespread progressive complaints that Kemp's victory over Abrams was tainted by voter suppression, although such accusations weren't borne out by evidence.

Harris tweeted her support for Barrow, promising he would "protect the integrity of Georgia's elections." Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.) did as well.

Warren promised that if you voted for Barrow, he would make it easier for Georgians to vote.

Harris, Booker, and Warren have all been floated as potential 2020 contenders for the Democratic nomination.

Abrams, who has recently indicated she may run for another office, condemned Kemp's time as secretary of state in her defeat, saying,  "Brian Kemp oversaw for eight years the systematic and systemic dismantling of our democracy, and that means there could not be free and fair elections in Georgia this year."

But, as the Free Beacon previously reported, voter registration and turnout increased under Kemp:

Not only has overall voter registration increased by 20 percent since Kemp took office as Georgia’s secretary of state, but final tabulations indicate turnout in 2018 dwarfed previous midterm elections.

Raffensperger received an endorsement from President Donald Trump, who tweeted "Brad Raffensperger will be a fantastic Secretary of State for Georgia - will work closely with @BrianKempGA. It is really important that you get out and vote for Brad-early voting starts today, election is on December 4th. @VoteBradRaff is tough on Crime and Borders, Loves our Military and Vets. He will be great for jobs!"

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1067151248040824833