ATLANTA — The Republican challenger to U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop of Georgia is conceding the race, saying the incumbent Democrat beat him.
Andrew O'Shea, campaign manager for GOP congressional Mike Keown (COW-en), told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the Republican has left a message with Bishop's campaign congratulating him.
The Associated Press initially called the race in southwest Georgia's 2nd District for Keown based on early returns. The call was withdrawn when Bishop took the lead early Wednesday by about 4,500 votes with 99 percent of precincts reporting. The Associated Press is awaiting the tabulation of provisional and absentee ballots before calling the race.
Bishop has represented the district for 18 years. Keown is a state lawmaker and pastor from Coolidge.
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