Democrat Jon Ossoff leads Republican rival by 7 points in conservative Georgia seat

Democrat Jon Ossoff is leading Republican Karen Handel in the special election race for Georgia’s traditionally conservative sixth district, a new poll finds.

The poll, conducted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, shows the 30-year-old Democrat leading by seven points: 51 per cent to Ms Handel’s 44.

Mr Ossoff, a first-time candidate, boasts a large majority with women voters. His Republican challenger has a small lead with men. Mr Ossoff also scores better with younger voters, while Ms Handel has a small advantage among those over 65.

The Georgia sixth district House race has been billed as an early referendum on Republican President Donald Trump, and a predictor of what could come from the 2018 mid-term elections.

“This is the first competitive race in the country since the presidential election, it’s the first chance to make a statement about what we stand for, and the eyes of the country are on us,” Mr Ossoff told New York Magazine in April.

The media buzz around the race has also lead to a massive increase in fundraising. Mr Ossoff has raised an impressive $23.6m over the course of his campaign. Ms Handel has yet to release her latest campaign totals, but outside Republican groups have contributed about $12m.

It is now the most expensive House race in US history.

Georgia's sixth district voted for Republican Mitt Romney over Barack Obama by more than 20 percentage points in 2012, and for Mr Trump by 1.5 per cent. Democrats hope that “flipping the sixth” will send a message to conservative politicians that they are falling out of favour.

Republicans, meanwhile, are eager to show strength going into the 2018 midterms – in which all House seats are on the table.

“Republicans can’t afford to lose this because it changes the narrative and it makes it easier for Democrats to recruit candidates and fundraise,” republican Representative Tom Davis told Politico.

Mr Trump has recorded robocalls to support Ms Handel’s campaign, and Vice President Mike Pence will campaign alongside her on Friday.

Ms Handel and Mr Ossoff emerged as the top candidates from each party in a crowded primary race in April. Because neither obtained 50 per cent of the vote, the race goes to a runoff on 20 June.