Augusta Democrat John Barrow won re-election Tuesday in one of the country's most-watched congressional races.

Grovetown Republican Lee Anderson thanked his supporters and family while Barrow claimed victory for bipartisanship.

Republican state lawmakers last year redrew Barrow's East Georgia 12th District to include more Republicans.

The GOP was counting on the new lines to carry Anderson to Congress.

But the Democrat got enough Republican support to win by about 20-thousand votes, according to unofficial results.

Barrow said his win represents the power of people over parties.

"That is the only hope for our country, that members of Congress can do the same thing, can look beyond the labels and focus on the issues that we have in common," Barrow said. "If the members of Congress would take their cue from the voters in the 12th District, we could actually get something done in the House of Representatives."

Anderson gave an emotional concession speech, saying the race wasn't about him but his supporters.

"Ladies and gentleman, this is about all of us," Anderson said. "This is not about Lee Anderson. I love Columbia County. I love you. God bless you and God bless America."

The race, in one of the nation's few competitive House districts, attracted millions of dollars in outside campaign spending on both sides.

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