State Sen. David Shafer is conceding the Republican race for lieutenant governor to Geoff Duncan.
Shafer wrote in an email to supporters Wednesday that he doesn't plan to seek a recount, and he wants Republicans to unify around their nominees for the Nov. 6 general election.
Shafer trailed Duncan by less than 1 percentage point — 1,597 votes across the state, according to unofficial results.
While his campaign said he picked up about 100 votes from the counting of provision ballots over the weekend, he was still far short of overcoming the deficit.
“My heart hurts for all those who worked so hard on my behalf. I am sorry that we were not victorious. But please do not hurt for me ...” Shafer wrote. “As I have done every election since I have been old enough to vote, I will be working hard for a Republican victory up and down the ballot.”
Duncan praised Shafer for his decision not to prolong the election.
“By not requesting a recount, David put the interest of the party and the taxpayers of Georgia before himself, and for that I thank him,” Duncan said. “David’s selfless action allows our campaign to immediately focus on winning the general election.”
Duncan will face Democrat Sarah Riggs Amico, an executive for a transportation company, in the general election.
