Democrat Jon Ossoff lost his bid against Republican Karen Handel in Georgiaâs Sixth District special congressional election Tuesday night, representing a stunning rebuke of Hollywood and the numerous celebrities who stumped for and contributed to the Democratâs campaign.
The race to fill the seat long held by former Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), now President Donald Trumpâs Secretary of Health and Human Services, had received national media attention as Democrats used the contest as an opportunity to measure the partyâs prospects to win elections in the run-up to the 2018 midterms.
Ossoff, a 30-year-old documentary filmmaker-turned-Democratic politician, had received a steady stream of support from some of Hollywoodâs biggest stars. Some of the most vocal celebrity critics of President Donald Trump, including Rosie OâDonnell, Jane Fonda, and Samuel L. Jackson, donated time and money to help Ossoffâs campaign.
In April, Jackson cut a 45-second radio ad endorsing Ossoff, urging Georgia voters to âstop Donald Trump, a man who encourages racial and religious discrimination and sexism.â
Actor John Leguizamoâs assertion that democracy itself hinged on Ossoff winning underscored how desperate Hollywood was to send a resounding message of resistance to Trumpâs presidency.
But Tuesdayâs results were likely to prompt more soul-searching among the political left, who are still looking for their first significant post-Trump election victory.
Actress Alyssa Milano, an early Ossoff supporter, personally drove voters to polling sites for the Democrat during the April election that forced Tuesdayâs runoff.
No joke. Call 678-636-9551 and @Alyssa_Milano and I WILL PICK YOU UP and take you to early vote! Now. @ossoff #Georgia6th pic.twitter.com/HA3nGuirQr
— Christopher Gorham (@ChrisGorham) March 27, 2017
With the prospect of moving to Georgia for film work, Milano saw Ossoffâs long-shot election as a way to continue her political activism in the Trump era.
âAfter Trump was elected, I decided to dedicate my time and passion to trying to flip seats,â the Charmed star told Variety.Â
Milano previously said she wanted âto pukeâ after Ossoffâ failure to reach the 50 percent threshold required to avoid Tuesdayâs runoff.
On Tuesday, the Whoâs the Boss star launched a social media campaign encouraging people to tweet photos of themselves after hitting the polls.
Actresses Sarah Silverman and Debra Messing attacked Ossoffâs opponent, Karen Handel, on social media in the run-up to Tuesdayâs election.
Despite the belief of numerous political experts that Ossoff would fall short in the Republican-dominated district that helped send Trump to the White House, the president  had earlier declared Tuesdayâs election to be a matchup between âHollywood vs. Georgia.â
The president took to Twitter Monday to urge Georgia voters to pull the lever for Handel.
The Dems want to stop tax cuts, good healthcare and Border Security.Their ObamaCare is dead with 100% increases in P's. Vote now for Karen H
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 19, 2017
Source: Breitbart