Georgia Republicans had plenty to say about the news of Democrat Jon Ossoff's epic fundraising haul in the 6th District special election. But few were as biting as Bruce LeVell, the onetime head of President Donald Trump's diversity coalition and one of 11 Republicans in the April 18 contest:
Some on Twitter took this to be a comment knocking Ossoff's Jewish faith. LeVell said he did not know about the Democrat's religious affiliation and noted his mother was Jewish. He said he meant his comment more broadly about the tide of out-of-state money.
"Having $8.3 million from predominately special interest groups won't save him," he said this morning.
MORE: GOP slams Ossoff for out-of-state cash, but his in-state haul nearly matches Republicans'
(We should note here that Ossoff attracted nearly 200,000 mostly small-dollar donors, not the typical "special interests" critics rail against.)
Read more about Ossoff's fundraising numbers here. The special election candidates are required to file their campaign finance disclosures today. Follow along with us as we track the top candidates' numbers here.
***
Speaking of the 6th District, don't expect the flurry of political ads to let up anytime soon.
Former Secretary of State Karen Handel is out with a new digital ad today that pokes back at Former state Sen. Dan Moody's "I'm going to need a bigger shovel" spot from last month.
“The other guys in this race want to play games,” Handel says, before the camera cuts to her husband Steve shoveling horse muck.
Handel also takes aim at former Johns Creek councilmember Bob Gray, who donned camo overalls and rainboots in a recent ad in which he fired up a water pump and drained a swamp:
As for Moody, he's also out with a new television spot today. This time the shovel is gone, and instead of doubling down on his endorsement from U.S. Sen. David Perdue, he's instead emphasizing what he has in common with President Donald Trump during the final weeks of the race:
***
Another day, another poll in the Georgia special election showing about the same dynamic: Democrat Jon Ossoff with a commanding lead that's still short of the majority he needs to avoid a runoff, and Republicans Karen Handel, Bob Gray and Dan Moody in a fight for the No. 2 spot.
That comes on the heels of a Meeting Street Research survey yesterday that put Ossof at 43 percent and Moody and Handel at 12 percent each.
***
A group of state House Democrats are sponsoring what they're calling a "Georgia Resists" town hall this evening Macon
House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, D-Atlanta, and Reps. James Beverly, D-Macon, and Miriam Paris, D-Macon, will preside over the 6:30 p.m. event at Wesleyan College's Taylor Amphitheater.
The event is billed as a forum for Georgians who "are ready to fight for progress at the state, local, and national levels."
Abrams and the Democratic caucus created Georgia Resists "in response to the dangerous Trump administration."
***
President Donald Trump is hosting 50 wounded warriors at the White House today to kick off the annual Soldier Ride, a four day ride for veterans and wounded service members.
Among those in attendance will be Petty Office First Class Mishelle Vasquez. The former naval officer hails from St. Mary’s, Ga.
***
The East Cobb Rotary Club and EAST COBBER magazine are co-hosting a pair of forums for the candidates running for the 6th District congressional seat and Judson Hill's old District 32 seat in the Georgia Senate.
The events with be on April 11 beginning at 6 p.m. at Wheeler High School’s Performing Arts Center in Marietta.
Read our primer on the state Senate race here.
About the Author
