Speaker Paul Ryan Coming To Atlanta Monday To Campaign For Handel

EAST COBB, GA — House Speaker Paul Ryan is coming to Georgia's 6th Congressional District to campaign for Republican Karen Handel, her campaign announced recently. Ryan's Monday, May 15 visit is widely seen as a sign of the importance that the GOP is putting on the race, which pits Handel against political newcomer, Democrat Jon Ossoff.

Handel's run for Congress has brought her newfound visibility on the national Republican scene, evidenced by President Donald Trump using his favorite medium, Twitter, to support her as well as his recent visit to Atlanta to stump for her. He raised $750,000 for her in an April 28 event when he came to town to speak at the National Rifle Association convention. He reportedly told her at the fundraiser, "You'd better win."

Ossoff, a political newcomer who has risen from congressional aide to Democratic heavyweight, almost won outright during a special election on April 19. The 30-year-old investigative filmmaker ended the night with 48 percent — 2 percent shy of the 50 percent needed to declare victory. Handel, who had to contend with 10 other Republicans in an 18-candidate field, mustered just enough votes to force a runoff.

Read more: Georgia's 6th District Election Shatters Record For Most Expensive House Race Ever

Ryan campaign spokesman Zack Roday told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the speaker is “proud to stand with Karen Handel, a strong conservative leader who will be a fighter for Georgians.”

Ryan will speak at 4 p.m. at 5 Seasons Brewery at 5600 Roswell Rd NE #21 in Sandy Springs, the Handel campaign said.

Ryan, for his part, remains embroiled in the Washington firestorm surrounding the recent firing of FBI Director James Comey. He told Fox News this week that, "The truth is James Comey, who is a worthwhile and dedicated public servant, I think he had just basically lost the confidence of a lot of Republicans and a lot of Democrats based upon his conduct, his actions and some of the comments that he made. Most importantly, he lost the confidence of the president, and it is entirely within the president's role and authority to relieve him, and that's what he did." (For more political stories, subscribe to the White House Patch for daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

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The skyrocketing price tag of the Georgia contest has shattered the record for a House of Representatives race, which was last set in 2012 in Florida's 18th District. TV advertising in that race between Republican Allen West and Democrat Patrick Murphy hit $24.4 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

The race to represent the 6th District — which includes affluent Atlanta suburbs encompassing parts of Cobb, DeKalb and Fulton counties — is up to $29.7 million, Politico reports.

In February, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal called a special election to replace Price. The runoff election is scheduled for June 20.

Read more: Cobb Board Of Commissioners Chairman Endorses Handel

Read more: Handel Wishes Ossoff 'Congratulations' On His Engagement

Image via Ty Wright / Stringer / Getty Images News