Republican Karen Handel's victory in this week's Georgia special election proved the GOP can grind out a victory using old-school methods, political consultant Karl Rove said.
Rove penned an opinion piece for The Wall Street Journal and argued that it was clear Republicans did not effectively use a ground game for the first round of the special election in April that was held to replace former Rep. Tom Price, who is now secretary of health and human services.
Tuesday's runoff election saw Republican turnout soar, which allowed Handel to garner enough votes to defeat Democrat Jon Ossoff.
"In June's one-on-one race, the GOP dusted off its old GOTV manuals, deployed organizers, and did the basic work of canvassing and phoning to persuade and turn out voters," Rove wrote.
The victory, Rove wrote, shows President Donald Trump occupying the White House doesn't mean Republicans across the country are doomed.
"Tuesday's results prove it is possible to make these contests about more than Donald Trump," Rove wrote.
"Ms. Handel won 51.9 percent while data from one conservative super PAC suggested only 38 percent of voters approved of Mr. Trump. Enough swing voters apparently don't believe every Republican candidate is responsible for everything the president says and does.
"Anger at Mr. Trump alone won't attract the swing voters Democrats need to take Congress. Plus, Mr. Trump isn't inexorably destined to become less popular. His approval ratings could rise if he enacts reform legislation."
The race in Georgia's 6th Congressional District broke spending records. Entering Tuesday's election, Ossoff led in most public polls.
Rove said the victory is nice for Republicans, but to win by a small margin in a red district shows more can be done.
"It's fine to take a moment to be happy at Tuesday's outcome, but it was still a hard race in what should be a safe GOP district," Rove wrote.
"The 2018 midterm elections won't be pretty for Republicans, but the election Tuesday showed they don't have to be a catastrophe."
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