Associated Press

Handel in a statement released around 11 a.m. Wednesday said she would not seek a recount in the race, despite trailing Deal by less than one percent of the vote.

Handel says the "best thing for our party is to rally around Congressman Deal as our nominee in the fight against Roy Barnes."

During the campaign, Handel blasted Deal as "a corrupt relic of Washington" and assailed his ethics throughout the race.

Deal will face Barnes, the Democratic nominee, in the November general election.