Georgia Election Results 2014: Perdue Wins U.S. Senate Seat

David Perdue won the open U.S. Senate seat representing Georgia for the next six years, beating Michelle Nunn decisively in a race that was expected to be much closer.

With 99.37 percent of the vote reported, Perdue had 52.94 percent; Nunn had 45.14%. Libertarian candidate Amanda Swafford had 1.91 percent. Swafford’s presence in the race had some observers talking run-off, which would have been necessary if no one had won more than 50 percent.

Perdue stayed well above that mark the entire evening. Early returns had Perdue with 60 percent of the vote and he stayed near that mark until late.

Nunn conceded the election before midnight as it was clear Perdue’s night-long double-digit lead wasn’t going to fade.

See more results here from the GA Secretary of State website

Original Report:

A U.S. Senate race with national attention has Election Day in Georgia one that could have widespread political impact.

Voters were out early and in large numbers to decide between Republican David Perdue and Democrat Michelle Nunn in the race to succeed retired Sen. Saxby Chambliss, a Republican.

The vote, which is considered vital in determining party control in the U.S. Senate, is expected to be close, with some observers suggesting a possible runoff in January.

• Check back here or bookmark this page for U.S. Senate results as polls close on Tuesday night.

The hotly contested race is one of the reasons Georgia voters endured long lines early Tuesday. The AJC reported there also have sporadic voting problems, such as a computer crash at a Buckhead precinct in Atlanta that caused delays in the first hour of voting.

The latest polls conducted in the days before Elections Day showed Perdue leading Nunn by 3 to 4 percentage points. Real Clear Politics’ average of seven major polls has Perdue at 47 percent; Nunn at 44.4.

• Visit the state Secretary of State’s website for more election info, including current and past results.

Perdue had trailed Nunn in most polls just two weeks ago.

The race appears close enough that the seat might need to be decided by a runoff on Jan. 6. Libertarian candidate Amanda Swafford could get 4 percent of the vote, making it possible that none of the candidates would win the majority vote.

Read more on the U.S Senate race:

• Final Push For Votes in Georgia’s Hot Senate Race (Patch)
• How a ‘Crazy’ Runoff Vote in Georgia Could Decide Control of Senate (Daily Signal)
• Yet another poll says Nunn-Perdue contest headed for a runoff (AJC)
• Michelle Nunn’s Hopes in Georgia Are Fading in Final Stretch (New York Times)
• Senate race final push: Michelle Nunn mobilizes, David Perdue gets folksy (AJC)
• Nunn, Perdue rebut ongoing attacks in their final U.S. Senate debate (AJC)
• The Democrats vs. Republican message battle in Georgia (MSNBC)
• Pick Six: Final countdown to GOP control of Senate (Fox News)

Photo: @Perduesenate Twitter