Ralph Reed Out of Contention.

One more scoundrel just bit the dust.

Ralph Reed concedes defeat

By Jim Galloway | Tuesday, July 18, 2006, 10:02 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed conceded defeat about 9:50 p.m. in Georgia’s Republican primary for lieutenant governor.

“Tonight my candidacy for lieutenant governor comes to an end,” he said.

He promised to work for the GOP ticket, including Sen. Casey Cagle (R-Gainesville), his rival in the lieutenant governor’s race.

Reed conceded at 9:48 p.m., speaking to a crowd that cheered for the first time all night.

With him was his wife, Jo Anne, and their four children.

“Today, Jo Anne and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary. It was an important reminder of what’s really important.

“Stay in the fight, don’t retreat, and our values will win in November,” he said.

Reed left quickly but stopped to say he was proud of the race he ran.

“I’m not focused on being a candidate in the future, but I’m glad I ran,” he said.

With 43 percent of precincts reporting, the Georgia Secretary of State’s office showed Cagle with 55.2 percent of the vote, compared with 44.8 percent for Reed.