Even though Lt. Governor Casey Cagle was the initial front runner in Georgia's Republican gubernatorial race, he was soundly defeated in the primary runoff by Secretary of State Brian Kemp, losing in all but two Georgia counties Tuesday night.
Only voters in Stephens and Monroe counties favored Cagle. The Lt. Governor picked up 61-percent of the vote in Stephens County, but the results were tighter in Monroe County, where Cagle picked up 51-percent of the ballots.
Cagle was soundly defeated in Hall County, where he was born and raised.
Unofficial results show Cagle picked up 8,302 votes (44.14%) to Kemp's 10,506 votes (55.86%) in Hall County.
In statements to the press following his concession speech, Cagle said his campaign could not overcome President Trump's endorsement of his opponent.
"We felt like we could overcome the Trump endorsement, but it's been pretty evident tonight that President Trump is a powerful man - the most powerful man in the world - and he brought us down," Cagle said.
Even though the battle between Kemp and Cagle was hard-fought, and often bitter, Cagle offered his support to his former opponent.
"I do congratulate Secretary Kemp," Cagle said. "He ran a hard race and fought really hard to the very end and we're going to do all we can to make sure he's our next governor."
At his election watch party in Atlanta Tuesday night, Cagle told WDUN's Scott Kimbler that he plans to enjoy his family once he finishes his term as Lt. Governor.
"I'm going to get to spend a lot more time with my babies - my grandbabies - along with my kids and life's going to be fine for Casey Cagle."
http://accesswdun.com/article/2018/7/695724/kemp-wins-all-but-two-georgia-counties-in-runoff-defeat-of-cagle