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Handel warns Democrats are hungry for 'revenge' as Ossoff hints at 6th District comeback bid

Congresswoman-elect Karen Handel gives a victory speech to supporters gathered at the Hyatt Regency at Villa Christina on June 20, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)
Congresswoman-elect Karen Handel gives a victory speech to supporters gathered at the Hyatt Regency at Villa Christina on June 20, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)
Aug 3, 2017

She was welcomed with an introduction most of the audience had never heard before: U.S. Rep. Karen Handel, victor of the most expensive House contest in history, wanted to be a pro football player as a kid.

It's true, she told a few dozen tea party activists and conservatives piled into a Marietta hall. Instead, Handel settled for another contact sport. And now she's gearing up for another bruising campaign season after a hard-fought June 20 win over Democrat Jon Ossoff to represent the suburban Atlanta seat.

She recently sent out her first fundraising plea warning that Democrats were hungry for "revenge," and she's toured GOP groups with a message that mixes gratitude for their support with a reminder of a fight to come to hold the 6th Congressional District.

“The Republican Party came together and was united in June, and we’re going to have to repeat that in 2018,” said Handel. “Because what I know is that, across the various groups, if any one part came out of the coalition, I don’t know if we’d be successful.”

Read the full story on MyAJC: Handel braces for another election bid

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About the Author

Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution's chief political reporter. He is also an author, TV analyst and co-host of the Politically Georgia podcast.

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