Handel gets Tea Party Express endorsement

The Tea Party Express has endorsed former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel (R), giving her a potential boost in her crowded Senate primary.

{mosads}”Karen Handel has put together an impressive campaign because voters want authentic leadership, bold conservative ideas, and someone willing to stand on principle. Karen has done that throughout her career and we will do everything we can to send her to Washington, D.C. so she can continue her work by reining in the federal government,” Tea Party Express Executive Director Taylor Budowich said in a statement.

The group isn’t a big-spending one, so it’s unlikely their endorsement alone will make the difference in the race. But it’s the latest sign that Handel is coalescing Tea Party support as she seeks to make the May 20th primary runoff.

Recent polling has found Handel surging into striking distance against businessman David Perdue (R) and Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), two establishment candidates, with Tea Party favorite Reps. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) and Paul Broun (R-Ga.) falling behind.

She’s locked in endorsements from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) and RedState founder Erick Erickson, who’s from Georgia, and despite a lack of resources for the race, she might be peaking at the right time.

Budowich alludes to the race’s shifting dynamics as a reason for the endorsement.

“There are several good candidates in this race, but Karen is the only one who combines a conservative record and a proven ability to win a statewide election,” she said.