Republican Runoff Candidate in Georgia Might Regret Her Comment on a 'Livable Wage'

By Eleanor Sheehan | June 7, 2017 | 1:59am

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Admitting that you “do not support a livable wage” is ostensibly not be the best way to secure votes in an already close election, but you know, Karen Handel is at least going to try.

Handel is the Republican candidate challenging Democratic wunderkind Jon Ossoff for the congressional seat in Georgia’s 6th district. On Tuesday night during a debate hosted by local news network WSB-TV Atlanta, moderators asked both candidates their position on raising the minimum wage.

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“The minimum wage should be a livable wage,” Ossoff said answering first. “I think we can raise it indexed to the cost of living because the cost of living varies widely in rural and urban areas.”

Ossoff then explained how he would implement an increased minimum wage: gradually and with enough time for businesses to adapt.

Handel’s response was truly something else. “This is an example of the fundamental difference between a liberal and conservative,” Handel responded. “I do not support a livable wage.”

So what does Handel support? “Making sure that we have an economy that is robust with low taxes and less regulation,” Handel said repeating a familiar Republican position.

Other than alienating voters in her district who would likely benefit from a higher minimum wage, Handel just gifted Ossoff’s campaign a beautifully wrapped campaign ad.

And his campaign already turned Handel’s quote into a shareable graphic:

Fortunately for Handel and bad news for almost everyone else: according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Georgia’s 6th district is “generally whiter [and] wealthier.” So the strategy could work in Handel’s favor after all.