President Donald Trump weighed in on the Georgia 6th Congressional District special election on Monday morning, calling leading Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff a \"super Liberal Democrat.\" <\/p>\n
\"The super Liberal Democrat in the Georgia Congressioal [sic] race tomorrow wants to protect criminals, allow illegal immigration and raise taxes!\" Trump tweeted. <\/p>\n
That message followed up a tweet from Trump on Sunday night, when he mentioned media coverage of both the Georgia election and the recent special election in Kansas' 4th Congressional District. In the Kansas contest, Republican Ron Estes beat Democrat James Thompson by 6 points last week in a district where then-Rep. Mike Pompeo now Trump's CIA director won by more than 30 points just last fall. <\/p>\n
\"The recent Kansas election (Congress) was a really big media event, until the Republicans won,\" Trump wrote. \"Now they play the same game with Georgia-BAD!\" <\/p>\n
Of the special elections to fill seats vacated by Trump appointees, Georgia has become Democrats' best chance of swinging a seat, although it remains an uphill battle. Ossoff is competing for Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price's seat with a handful of Democrats and 11 Republicans in what's known as a \"jungle\" primary. All candidates run on one ballot for the election, which is set for Tuesday. If no candidate clears 50%, the top two will participate in a runoff election on June 20. <\/p>\n
MORE: Who is Jon Ossoff? <\/p>\n
20 PHOTOS <\/p>\n
Georgia 6th Congressional District special election <\/p>\n
See Gallery <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff arrives to greet supporters at a campaign office as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The election on April 18th will fill the congressional seat that has been held by a Republican since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff greets supporters at a campaign office as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The election on April 18th will fill the congressional seat that has been held by a Republican since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff greets Saad Ahsan at a campaign office as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The election on April 18th will fill the congressional seat that has been held by a Republican since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff greets supporters at a campaign office as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The election on April 18th will fill the congressional seat that has been held by a Republican since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff greets Samira Ahsan and her mother Sharifa Jahan at a campaign office as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The election on April 18th will fill the congressional seat that has been held by a Republican since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff greets supporters at a campaign office as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The election on April 18th will fill the congressional seat that has been held by a Republican since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 16: A campaign sign for Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff is seen among other candidates' signs as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 16, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The election on April 18th will fill the congressional seat that has been held by a Republican since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 16: A campaign sign for Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff is seen among other candidates' signs as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 16, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The election on April 18th will fill the congressional seat that has been held by a Republican since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff and his girlfriend Alisha Kramer greet supporters at a campaign office as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The election on April 18th will fill the congressional seat that has been held by a Republican since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 16: A campaign sign for Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff is seen among other candidates' signs as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 16, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The election on April 18th will fill the congressional seat that has been held by a Republican since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff arrives with his girlfriend, Alisha Kramer, to greet supporters at a campaign office as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The 6th Congressional District hasn't been held by a Democrat since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Campaign fliers are seen at an office for Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The 6th Congressional District hasn't been held by a Democrat since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff greets supporters at a campaign office as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The 6th Congressional District hasn't been held by a Democrat since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff speaks with the media as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The 6th Congressional District hasn't been held by a Democrat since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff greets supporters at a campaign office as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The 6th Congressional District which hasn't been held by a Democrat since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff greets supporters at a campaign office as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The 6th Congressional District which hasn't been held by a Democrat since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff greets supporters at a campaign office as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The 6th Congressional District which hasn't been held by a Democrat since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff greets supporters at a campaign office as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The 6th Congressional District which hasn't been held by a Democrat since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff speaks to supporters at a campaign office as he runs for Georgia's 6th Congressional District in a special election to replace Tom Price, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services on April 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The 6th Congressional District hasn't been held by a Democrat since the 1970s. (Photo by Joe Raedle\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
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With Republicans failing to coalesce around one candidate, Ossoff is running away with the primary in polls, garnering support in the mid-40s . But when polled against just one candidate in the runoff election, a recent Emerson College poll found him trailing slightly against the four Republicans who are considered most likely to emerge from the primary as his opponent, should he not hit 50%. <\/p>\n
In just three months, Ossoff, a 30-year-old documentary filmmaker and former congressional aide, has raised a whopping $8.3 million, vastly more than most candidates running in major statewide races. Ossoff's fundraising haul was more than any member of Congress had raised over a two-year period since 2012, other than House Speaker Paul Ryan and former House Speaker John Boehner. <\/p>\n
Democrats haven't won this House seat which was occupied for 20 years by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich since 1976. <\/p>\n
19 PHOTOS <\/p>\n
Newt Gingrich through the years <\/p>\n
See Gallery <\/p>\n
UNITED STATES FILE PHOTO: Rep. Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., gives a lecture on Sept. 18, 1993 during the first day of his 'Renewing American Civilization' course taught in fall 1993 at Kennesaw State College in Kennesaw, Ga. The course later became part of Congressional ethics violation charges leveled against Gingrich in 1996. (Photo by Bill Clark\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 5: Newt Gingrich(L), speaker of the US House of Representatives, laughs as US President Bill Clinton(R) looks on during a meeting of the bi-partisan leadership of Congress 05 January at the White House. The day after the opening session of the 104th Congress, Republicans and Democrats met with Clinton to discuss the legislative agenda. (COLOR KEY: Red in ties.) (Photo credit should read J. DAVID AKE\/AFP\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
CLAREMONT, NH - JUNE 11: President William Jefferson Clinton and Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, share a laugh at a meeting held at a senior citizens center in Claremont, N.H. (Photo by John Bohn\/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) <\/p>\n
ME.Gingrich.Newt.RDL (kodak) House speaker Newt Gingrich greets supporters at a fundraiser at the Anaheim Hilton and Towers in Anaheim. TIMES (Photo by Robert Lachman\/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) <\/p>\n
UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 15: Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., speaks during the ceremony to unveil his portrait in Statuary Hall. (Photo By Douglas Graham\/Roll Call\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 17: (AFP OUT) Former U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-GA) (L) speaks as he is interviewed by moderator Tim Russert (R) during a taping of 'Meet the Press' at the NBC studios December 17, 2006 in Washington, DC. Gingrich spoke on various topics including the war in Iraq and the 2008 Presidential election. (Photo by Alex Wong\/Getty Images for Meet the Press) <\/p>\n
WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 06: Newt Gingrich and Callista Gingrich attend the 32nd Kennedy Center Honors at Kennedy Center Hall of States on December 6, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Mazur\/WireImage) <\/p>\n
MANCHESTER, NH - JANUARY 07: Republican presidential candidates (L-R) former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Texas Gov. Rick Perry participate in the ABC News, Yahoo! News, and WMUR Republican Presidential Debate at Saint Anselm College January 7, 2012 in Manchester, New Hampshire. The GOP contenders are in the final stretch of campaigning for the New Hampshire primary, the first in the nation, to be held on January 10. (Photo by Win McNamee\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
WOLFEBORO, NH - JANUARY 07: Republican presidential candidate, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich speaks during a campaign town hall meeting at the Wright Museum January 7, 2012 in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. According to a CNN\/Time\/ORC poll released Friday, Gingrich has dropped from 43-percent in December to 17-percent, putting him even with fellow candidate, former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum. However, both are trailing former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney who is polling at 37-percent. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
Republican presidential hopefuls, former Massachusetts Govenor Mitt Romney (L), former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, take the stage for the NBC News, Tampa Bay Times, National Journal Republican Presidential Candidates Debate at the University of South Florida, January 23, 2012, Tampa, Florida. AFP Photo\/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS\/AFP\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
Republican presidential hopeful, former Speaker Newt Gingrich, delivers remarks during a Hispanic Town Hall January 28, 2012 at the Centro de la Familia church in Orlando, Florida AFP Photo\/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS\/AFP\/GettyImages) <\/p>\n
MESA, AZ - FEBRUARY 22: Republican presidential candidates former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (L) and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich laugh as they participate in a debate sponsored by CNN and the Republican Party of Arizona at the Mesa Arts Center February 22, 2012 in Mesa, Arizona. The debate is the last one scheduled before voters head to the polls in Michigan and Arizona's primaries on February 28 and Super Tuesday on March 6. (Photo by Justin Sullivan\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 30: Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Callista Gingrich speak during a tribute to former president Ronald Reagan at the final day of the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 30, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was nominated as the Republican presidential candidate during the RNC which will conclude today. (Photo by Mark Wilson\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO -- (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) -- Episode 4289 -- Pictured: (l-r) Newt Gingrich, Nicole 'Snookie' Polizzi, Callista Gingrich backstage on July 18, 2012 -- (Photo by: Margaret Norton\/NBC\/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) <\/p>\n
NATIONAL HARBOR, MD - FEBRUARY 27: Former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA) addresses the 42nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) February 27, 2015 in National Harbor, Maryland. Conservative activists attended the annual political conference to discuss their agenda. (Photo by Alex Wong\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: Former United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright(L) and Newt Gingrich attend The Washington Post White House Correspondents' Pre-Dinner Reception at The Washington Hilton on April 25, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brad Barket\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
CINCINNATI, OH- JULY 6: Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R) introduces Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump during a rally at the Sharonville Convention Center July 6, 2016, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Trump is campaigning in Ohio ahead of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland next week. (Photo by John Sommers II\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
CINCINNATI, OH- JULY 6: Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R) introduces Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump during a rally at the Sharonville Convention Center July 6, 2016, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Trump is campaigning in Ohio ahead of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland next week. (Photo by John Sommers II\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
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\"You see $8.3 million, that's a significant chunk that somebody can run in their district,\" one GOP operative familiar with the race recently told Business Insider. \"Essentially, that's what somebody usually raises for a statewide campaign, not an off-year, early special election.\" <\/p>\n
The operative added that he hadn't seen anything resembling that level of fundraising in past special elections. <\/p>\n
\"It is a large amount of money from out-of-state donors who are clearly very fired up about opposing Donald Trump,\" he said. \"That's very clear. The liberal base dislikes Donald Trump.\" <\/p>\n
Like Trump, Republicans are trying to paint Ossoff as a \"far left\" candidate. The GOP has also claimed that Ossoff would be more loyal to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi an unpopular name in the district than to local voters. <\/p>\n
With the huge swing in Kansas where Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas all provided assistance to Estes as a potential sign of things to come in the other special elections, there is major concern that the GOP base will be complacent after Trump's victory, not turning out in needed numbers to win the seat. <\/p>\n
\"The energy we've seen, there's been a slight downtick, which I think is natural coming off a very contentious election that we won,\" the operative said, adding that the GOP has to get its voters \"reengaged.\" <\/p>\n
NOW WATCH: From rich kid to first daughter: The life of Ivanka Trump <\/p>\n
See Also: <\/p>\n
SEE ALSO: 'A new phase': Trump shifts on core issues at a dizzying pace at a critical moment in his presidency <\/p>\n
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Read the rest here: <\/p>\n
Trump begins attacking 'super Liberal Democrat' in crucial special election - AOL<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" President Donald Trump weighed in on the Georgia 6th Congressional District special election on Monday morning, calling leading Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff a \"super Liberal Democrat.\" \"The super Liberal Democrat in the Georgia Congressioal [sic] race tomorrow wants to protect criminals, allow illegal immigration and raise taxes!\" Trump tweeted. That message followed up a tweet from Trump on Sunday night, when he mentioned media coverage of both the Georgia election and the recent special election in Kansas' 4th Congressional District Continue reading