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Runoff possible in Ga. Senate race
Tight presidential race in state affecting Isakson's bid for third term
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ATLANTA — Johnny Isakson is heading into the final days of Georgia's U.S. Senate race with a comfortable lead over Democratic challenger Jim Barksdale, but the race could be the closest contest of the Republican incumbent's Senate career.The unexpectedly tight margin in Georgia between presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton has complicated Isakson's bid for a third term, along with Libertarian Allen Buckley siphoning votes.Georgia hasn't gone for a Democratic presidential candidate since Bill Clinton's first run in 1992, and Democrats hope a close presidential contest will affect down-ballot contests like the Senate race.Isakson still holds an 11 percentage-point edge in public polling averages over Barksdale, a first-time candidate who stepped into the race at the last minute after better known Democrats ruled out a run. But the incumbent hasn't passed 50 percent and risks a January runoff. Georgia law requires a runoff election if no candidate wins a majority of the vote.A Senate runoff isn't unprecedented in Georgia.
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