U.S. Sen. David Perdue endorsed Republican Dan Moody in Georgia's special election contest, and a 30-second ad that features him explaining why will be plastered across Atlanta's airwaves starting Tuesday.
Perdue, who won his U.S. Senate seat in 2014 running as an outsider, stares directly into the camera to say he was elected to “fix a broken system with a new president who isn’t afraid to shake things up.”
“We finally have a real chance. Trust me, we don’t need another career politician up here,” said Perdue. “Dan Moody cares more about getting results than getting credit. That’s so uncommon and exactly what we need. Dan’s one of us.”
Moody, a former state senator and businessman, entered the race to represent the suburban Atlanta district in February with support from much of the political network helmed by Perdue and his first cousin, former Gov. Sonny Perdue. But scattered polls show him trailing other Republicans in the crowded field for the April 18 election to succeed Tom Price.
Moody has positioned himself throughout the campaign as a "quiet" leader ready to get his hands dirty in Washington. His first ad, which debuted earlier this month, put an exclamation mark on that message: It showed him trailing braying donkeys and harrumphing elephants with a shovel.
This ad takes a different tack with a message directly from Perdue, the latest high-profile political figure to weigh in on the race.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio have both endorsed ex-state Sen. Judson Hill. Former U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss backs Karen Handel. And Democrat Jon Ossoff has lined up support from much of his party's political establishment in Atlanta and Washington.
But Moody’s supporters hope Perdue’s endorsement will resonate more. He performed well in the Sixth District, which stretches from east Cobb to north DeKalb, narrowly falling to Handel in the GOP U.S. Senate primary three years ago.
And Perdue remains one of the most popular Republican figures in the state, someone who has embraced President Donald Trump while also burnishing the jean-jacketed outsider appeal he fostered during the campaign despite two years in public office.
"In politics, there are endorsements and there are endorsements," Moody said. "This is an endorsement with a capital E and I couldn't be prouder to have David's support."
Moody is one of 11 Republicans – and 18 candidates overall – on the ballot. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party, will square off in June 20 runoff and Republicans increasingly concede Ossoff will land one of the spots.
The district has long been a Republican stronghold. But Trump's struggles in the area, along with Ossoff's surprising rise, have given Democrats hope they can flip the seat.
Watch the ad here:
More AJC coverage of the Sixth District race:
Republicans, Democrats target Ossoff in Georgia special election
In Tom Price's backyard, a Republican split over healthcare
How outside forces play an outsized role in Georgia’s 6th District race
Bob Gray's pro-Trump credentials under fire
Ad blitz for Georgia's Sixth District race already tops $3.7M
House GOP health care plan divides Sixth District candidates
Jon Ossoff rattles conservatives in race for Georgia’s Sixth
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