6th District House Race: New Poll Shows Dead Heat In Test Of Trump's Strength

EAST COBB, GA — A new poll shows a virtual dead heat in the race between Democrat Jon Ossoff and Republican Karen Handel to represent Georgia's 6th District in Congress, which has been viewed as an early indicator of the 2018 elections and the strength of President Donald Trump.

The poll, conducted by Anzalone Liszt Grove Research, a Democratic pollster, shows Ossoff leading Handel 48 to 47, with a 4 percentage point margin of error.

Ossoff came just short of winning the 6th District House seat in the April 19 special election against 17 other candidates. His 48 percent total was 2 percent shy of the 50 percent he needed to turn the longtime GOP-leaning district into a Democratic one and win the race outright.

"Part of Ossoff’s success in earning 48% in the April special election was his ability to drive turnout among voters who do not typically vote in special elections or midterms," the pollster said. "According to voter file results, 25% of all voters who participated in the April special election voted in 2016, but had not voted in 2014. In the current polling of run-off voters, Ossoff holds at 12-point lead over Handel among these voters."

Results of the poll, which was conducted April 23-27, underscore that the 6th District race will be highly competitive, especially with the campaign shaping up to be the most expensive House election in U.S. history.

The June 20 runoff in the 6th District is being closely watched by Washington and much of the nation as many see it as a litmus test of President Donald Trump's ideals.

"This poll articulates the excitement and momentum we've been feeling on the ground: we're winning," Ossoff campaign manager Keenan Pontoni said in a statement. "Although we're not taking anything for granted, it's important to consider how far we've come."

Meanwhile, Handel released a new digital ad Tuesday that sheds light on her early years. In the one-minute spot titled "Story," the former secretary of State highlights some of her background, including leaving home when she was 17 years old to escape a "pretty tough and difficult" family environment.

The ad is a departure from the spots run on her behalf by Republican-backed Super PACs. Those ads directly attacked Democratic opponent Ossoff, drawing attention to his experience and ties to a Muslim news station. This time, Handel looks to woo voters by keeping the focus on herself.

“Leaving a troubled home at 17 wasn’t easy but it shaped me into the person I am proud to be today,” said Handel. “Working part time job on top of part time job while trying to finish school taught me how to be resilient and appreciate the value of hard work. We need more people in Congress who aren’t afraid to make the tough decisions and if elected I will take that same fighting spirit to Congress to work for the people of the 6th District,” Handel said in a statement.

The 6th Congressional District seat, which covers a swath of affluent Atlanta suburbs encompassing parts of Cobb, DeKalb and Fulton counties, became available when U.S. Rep. Tom Price, a Roswell doctor, vacated the position to become the nation's health secretary.

Image via Patch file photo