The reasons behind a Republican blowout in Georgia

The biggest question in Georgia politics in this election cycle was whether the Peach State had shifted from red to purple. The resounding answer Tuesday night was: Nope.

Top-ticket Republicans Nathan Deal and David Perdue led a statewide sweep for the GOP ticket by collecting about 53 percent of the vote, roughly the same as Deal took in 2010 and presidential hopeful Mitt Romney received in 2012.

Hype about shifting racial demographics, the Democrats’ ground operation and dynasty candidates who could appeal to white swing voters crumbled. The Republicans ran an extensive ground operation and leveraged consistent messages — Deal on the economy, Perdue on President Barack Obama — to extend their winning streak.