Roy Barnes defeat likely ends his political future - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Roy Barnes defeat likely ends his political future

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By Jim Wallace - bio | email

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By Jim Wallace - bio | email

ALBANY, GA (WALB) –The outcome of the nasty campaign was a bitter loss for Roy Barnes.  It's likely the former governor's last campaign.

Roy Barnes thanked the people at the Georgia Tech Conference center very genuinely for their political support late last night, but he made it pretty clear that two defeats was enough.

Shortly after the polls closed, Roy Barnes watched election returns and saw trouble.

Barnes said "It's a tough year to be a democrat, but we'll just have to wait and see."

But the wait was not that long. Deal took an early lead and never relinquished it. About 11:45 Barnes came down to give his concession speech.

Barnes said, "I have just talked to Congressman Deal and wished him the best as the new Governor."

Barnes then seemed to say goodbye to political life.  Barnes said " I have fought the good fight, I have run the good race, I have finished the course, and I have kept the faith."

Many of his supporters cried, as Roy Barnes quickly said goodbye.

It was that speed that Barnes' concession speech was made that fueled the feeling that he was ready to end his political career. Barnes quickly left the room, surrounded by Police who kept both his supporters and media away from him.

Barnes was first elected to the state senate in 1974.

He said the biggest changes he's seen in politics are the instantaneous spread of news and the need to use social networking in a campaign.

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