United States Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) conceded her reelection bid to Democrat challenger Rev. Raphael Warnock Thursday evening.
“I want to thank every Georgian, and every single American who believed in me and our campaign,” Loeffler said in a video posted on her Twitter page. “We accomplished so much in a short time. From delivering relief to hard-working Georgians during this pandemic, to funding our rural hospitals and healthcare, advocating for our farmers, our veterans, for school choice and families, for standing up for conservative American values.”
“Unfortunately, we came up slightly short in the runoff election, and earlier today I called Reverend Warnock to congratulate him and to wish him well in serving this great state,” Loeffler continued. “While my heart breaks at not being able to continue serving Georgia and America, I’m tremendously proud of all we achieved together, and I owe so much to my incredible team that became like family to me, both in my campaign, and my official office. It’s been an honor to serve together, and I know we will always honor the memory of our amazing teammate, Harrison Deal.”
Deal was a Loeffler campaign aide who passed away in a car accident in early December. He was 20 years old, and had been dating the daughter of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (R) for two years.
Loeffler went on to thank her husband, Jeff Sprecher, for his support and love during the campaign. She also thanked her parents and friends.
“Rest assured, the fight to advance the American Dream is far from over,” she said. “The fight to protect conservative values is far from over, and the fight against socialism and the radical agenda of the left is very far from over. I fully intend to stay in this fight for freedom, for our values, and for the future of this great country. Serving as your United States Senator has been the honor of a lifetime. I am forever grateful for your kindness, your hard work, your support, and friendship. God bless you, God bless Georgia, and God bless the United States of America.”
Several media outlets called the race in favor of Warnock Wednesday morning, but Loeffler vowed to fight on until every “legal vote” was counted, as President Donald J. Trump noted irregularities in the Georgia’s counting process Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.
Loeffler planned to object to the Electoral College certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s November win, but after protests rocked the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., Loeffler did an about face, decrying the actions of Trump’s supporters.
“The events that transpired have forced me to reconsider, and I cannot now in good conscience object to the certification of these electors,” Loeffler said, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The violence, the lawlessness and siege of the halls of Congress are abhorrent and stand as a direct attack on what my objection was intended to protect, the sanctity of the American democratic process.”
Watch Loeffler’s concession speech here:
Serving our great state has been the honor of my lifetime.
Thank you, Georgia! pic.twitter.com/MQc0rFS208
— Kelly Loeffler (@KLoeffler) January 7, 2021
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Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Georgia Star News and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
