Barry Loudermilk Wins Congressional Race

It appears former Georgia State Senator Barry Loudermilk will be the next representative for voters in Georgia's 11th Congressional District. 

Unofficial results show Loudermilk, who resides in Bartow County, defeated former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr for the seat, which covers all of Cherokee and Bartow counties and portions of Cobb and north Fulton counties.

With two out of four counties reporting results, Loudermilk is currently leading the race with 66 percent, or 34,123 votes, compared to Barr's 34 percent, or 17,446 votes. 

However, the Associated Press has called the race and other media outlets such as The Atlanta Journal-Constitution are following suit. 

Loudermilk will replace U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey of Marietta, who ran for but fell short of a primary win in the U.S. Senate race. 

Both candidates advanced to the runoff from the May 20 Republican primary, as they were the two candidates who received the highest percentage of votes in a crowded field of contenders. 

Barr on his Facebook page said he and his wife Jeri are thankful for the opportunity to launch his campaign to run for the seat. The former congressman also congratulated Loudermilk on his victory.  

"While tonight did not go the way we had hoped, we remain committed to the conservative movement and the Republican Party and look forward to the future with excitement and optimism," he wrote, also expressing thanks to family and his campaign team for their "support and sacrifices."