This morning U.S. Rep. Karen Handel conceded to Lucy McBath in the 6th Congressional District election. 
Here’s part of the statement Handel issued:
After carefully reviewing all of the election results data, it is clear that I came up a bit short on Tuesday. Congratulations to Representative-Elect Lucy McBath and I send her only good thoughts and much prayer for the journey that lies ahead for her.
While Tuesday’s loss is indeed disappointing, there is much for which we can and should be grateful.
We live in a great country. In no other nation in the world could a girl leave home at 17 – finish school on her own and then work her way up – and have the incredible opportunities that I have had.
This country has enabled me to follow my dreams personally and professionally. You gave me the honor of serving as Chairman of the Fulton Commission, as Secretary of State. And, for the last year and a half, you gave me the high honor – the incredible privilege – of serving you as your representative in Congress.
My story underscores just how exceptional this country is. In this great nation, the least among us have opportunities to offer our best. We’re a country that encourages and rewards hard work.
McBath, an East Cobb Democrat, claimed victory on Wednesday. Handel, a Republican from Roswell who touted President Trump’s tax cuts, said in response she wouldn’t make any additional statements then.
The results are still unofficial, but McBath surged ahead of Handel by fewer than 3,000 votes after extremely tight returns all evening on Tuesday. Handel won 55 percent of the vote in East Cobb precincts and barely won her North Fulton home ground. McBath got more than 60 percent of the vote in north and central DeKalb.
The margin was within the realm of a recount, but Handel decided against that. After winning a special election last year in the most expensive race in U.S. House history, Handel will have served 18 months when McBath succeeds her in January.
She will be the first Democrat to hold the seat since Newt Gingrich was first elected in 1978. McBath also is one of 37 Democrats to defeat Republican incumbents this year, with the GOP losing House control as a result.
On Thursday afternoon, McBath issued a statement in response to the mass shootings in southern California that killed 12 people at a nightclub. Her son was shot and killed six years ago in an incident that prompted her to become a gun-control advocate:
The tragedy in California is one of far too many. I grieve with the families affected and for every life lost. I pray that Congress will support me in taking action to prevent these tragedies from affecting the lives of so many. I am deeply thankful for all of the first responders.
As a congresswoman, but more importantly as a mother,I pledge to do every thing I can to make our communities safer. The most important title I am ever going to hold is Jordan’s mom – and that is what drives me to keep going. Knowing firsthand the deep pain of losing a loved one to gun violence is what drove me to stand up. Then, after watching the tragedy of Parkland, I knew I had to do more. That is why I am here today.
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