THE AIDE to Georgia Senator Kelly Loeffler died in a highway crash Friday morning, just hours before Vice President Mike Pence was scheduled to arrive in the state and round up support for Loeffler and Senator David Perdue.

Harrison Deal, 20, was driving on I-16 in Pooler, just 10 miles east of Savannah, when he was struck and killed in a fiery crash. The campaign has not yet stated whether Deal was performing campaign duties at the time of his death.

Deal was a former intern for Perdue, and was a family friend of Georgia Republican Governor Brian Kemp. The governor described Deal as "the Kemp son and brother we never had."

Deal was working on Loeffler's campaign ahead of the January 5 runoff election against Democratic candidate Reverend Raphael Warnock, who leads Loeffler by six points in the polls.

Perdue also faces a challenge from Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff in the runoff.

The winner of the two runoffs will determine control of the Senate next year. Republicans currently hold 50 seats, with the two Georgia seats determining if the Senate will be divided 50-50 and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris breaking ties.

During his speech in Savannah later that day, Pence called Deal a "truly wonderful young man." He was set to graduate from the University of Georgia in 2022.

Loeffler did not attend the Pence rally due to Deal's death, stating "it is with an extremely heavy heart that we mourn the loss of Harrison Deal."

"My heart aches for his family, and Jeff and I will continue to surround them in love and prayer in the days ahead," Loeffler continued. "Harrison was a beloved member of our campaign team. More importantly, Harrison was a smart, bright, loving, loyal and outstanding young man."

Loeffler continued, saying Deal "embodied the very best of this campaign – and the very best of our state."

"We will forever cherish and honor Harrison’s memory, and I ask every Georgian to join us in praying for his family during this difficult time," Loeffler ended.

Source: Read Full Article