Eric Johnson was always my first choice. I believe this runoff would have been between him and Deal if it weren’t for all the “outside help”
As I said before Handel has an ethics charge against her as well. I believe Barnes had a lot more on her - liberals were pulling for her.
Agreed. Johnson was the best candidate in the primary.
- JP
Eric Johnson, former Georgia GOP gubernatorial candidate, came out with a "unity" robo-call asking Republican voters to come together within the party and unite on Wednesday, a day after the runoff election.
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The robo-call was met with some criticism from Deal's supporters. Chip Lake, Rep. Lynn Westmoreland's chief of staff, posted on his facebook the following:
"[Lake] is disappointed in a man that I used to have [a lot] of respect for. Instead of holding up his end of a deal Eric Johnson instead decides that he needs to record a robo call calling for “unity”. I mean really, Eric?? I, and many others that received such a call could have done without the sanctimonious lecture."
The short post implies that there was some kind of an agreement, perhaps between Johnson and Deal, or among the whole Senate and House GOP caucus that did come out en masse, except for just a few members, in support of Deal over former Secretary of State Karen Handel.
In Sunday's gubernatorial debate, Handel said she will rally behind Deal if he wins the runoff election, however, Deal said he would not support Handel if she won.
"It's going to take some time for us to heal the wounds that have been inflicted here," Deal said.
There has been some gossip online that Deal is planning on running as an independent if he loses on Tuesday. In that case, it would be unwise for him to declare his support for Handel in case she wins.