karen handel received nearly 52% of the vote, defeating jon ossoff by almost 3%. president trump tweeted his congratulations for her big win. mark is there for us. >> reporter: karen handel won this special election comfortably in what was the most expensive house race in history. both side spent more than $56 million, but the seat of this affluent, educated district will stay republican. >> a special thanks to the president of the united states pof america. >> reporter: karen handel celebrated her new job by thanking president trump tuesday night. but it's the president who may be the night's biggest winner. on twitter he took a victory lap for "those that want to make america great again." >> my promise is to work every single day relentlessly to make our state and this country a better place. >> reporter: this house seat has been in republican hands since